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THE 

INSTITUTION 



/ OF THE 

SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, 

FORMED BY THE 

©fficevs of tl)c Qlmerican 'ia.rinj) of tl)c Kcuolutioii, 

FOR THE I,AUDA1!?.E PURPOSES THEREIN MENTIONED, 

AT THE CAfiTflNMENT ON THE BANKS OF THE HUDSON RIVER, 

MAV, irS3 ; 

TOGETHER WITH 

SOME OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY, 
AND OF THE NEW-YOEK STATE SOCIETY; 



A LIST GF THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS 

OF THE NEW-YORK STATE SOCIETY, 

FROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO THE YEAR 1851. 

J. M. ELLIOTT, PRINTER, 133 WATER STREET, N. YORK. 
1851. 



1.^^ 






New-York State Society of the Cincinnati. 



ANNUAL MEETING, JULY 4, 1846. 
Resolved, That a Committee of two be appointed to hav- two hundred 
and fifty copies of the Constitution and By-laws oi' the Society pi-inted. with 
such other documents as they may think proper ; together with an historical 
statement of such of the principal incidents in the proceedings of this Soci- 
ety as they may tiiink advisable ; and also a list of the Officers and Members 
of the Society from its institution to the present period 

The Treasurer and Secretary were subsequently appointed such Com- 
mittee. 

Extract from the Minutes 

EDWAED P. MARCELLIN, Secre.lary. 

55410 

ANNUAL MEETING, JULY 5, 1847. 
Resolved, That the Committee appointed at the last Anniversary Meet- 
ing, to have certain copies of the Constitution and By-laws, &c., printed, be 
continued ; and that said Committee be authorised to compile a code of By- 
laws, and to submit the same to the Standing Committee, which is hereby 
authorised to consider, alter, .-imend or adopt the same in behalf of this So- 
ciety; and that such By-laws as shall be so adopted by the Standing Com- 
mittee shall be the By-laws of this Society ; and shall be printed as such, 
together with the Constitution and other documents, &c., directed to be 
printed by the first above mentioned Committee. 
Extract from the Minutes. 

EDWARD P. MARCELLIN, Secretary. 



THE INSTITUTIO?^ 



THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 



Cantonment of the American Army, ) 
On Hudson's River, 10th May, 1783. ^ 

Proposals for establishing a Society upon principles therein 
mentioned, whose members shall be the officers of the Ame- 
rican Army, having been communicated to the several regi- 
ments of the respective lines, they appointed an officer from 
each, who, in conjunction with the General Officers, should 
take the same into consideration at their meeting this day, 
at which the Honorable Major General Baron de Steuben, 
the senior officer present, was pleased to preside. 

The proposals being read, fully considered, paragraph by 
paragraph, and the amendments agreed to, Major General 
Knox, Brigadier General Hand, Brigadier General Hunt- 
ington, and Captain Shaw, were chosen to revise the same, 
and prepare a copy to be laid before this Assembly at tlieir 
next meeting, to be holden at INIajor General Baron de Steu- 
ben's quarters, on Tuesday the 13th instant. 

Tuesday, 13;A May, 1783. 
The representatives of the American Army being assem- 
bled, agreeably to adjournment, the plan for establishing a So- 
ciety, whereof die officers of the American Army are to be 
members, is accepted, and is as follows, viz: 



"It having pleased the Supreme Governor of the Uni- 
verse, in the disposition of human affairs, to cause the sepa- 
ration of the Colonies of North America from the domination 
of Great Britain, and after a bloody conflict ofeiirht years, to 
estabhsh diem free, independent, and sovereign States, con- 
nected, by alliances founded on reciprocal advantages, with 
some of the greatest princes and powers of the earth. 

" To perpetuate, therefore, as well the remembrance of this 
vast event, as the mutual friendships which have been formed 
under the pressure of common danger, and in many instances 
cememted by the blood of the parties, the officers of die 
American Army do, hereby, in the most solemn manner, as- 
sociate, constitute, and combine themselves into one society 
OF FRIENDS, to endure as long as they shall endure, or any of 
their eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral 
branches, who may be judged worthy of becoming its sup- 
porters and members. 

" The officers of the^ American army having generally been 
taken from the citizens of America, possess high veneration 
for the chai'acter of that illustrious Roman, Lucius Quintius 
CiNCiNNATUS; and being resolved to follow his example, by 
returning to their citizenship, they diink they may, with pro- 
priety, denominate themselves The Society of 'J'he Cin- 
cinnati. 

" The following principles shall be immutable, and form 
the basis of the Society of the Cincinnati: 

" An incessant attention to preserve inviolate those exalted 
rights and liberties of human nature, for which ihey have 
fought and bled, and without which die high rank of a ra- 
tional being is a curse instead of a blessing. 

" An unalterable determination to promote and cherish, be- 
tween the respective States, that union and national honor, so 
essentially necessary to their happiness, and the futiwe dignity 
of the American empire. 



" To render permanent the cordial affection subsisting 
among the officers. This spirit will dictate brotherly kind- 
ness in all things, and particularly extend to the most sub- 
stantial acts of beneficence, according to the ability of the 
Society, towards those officers and their families who unfor- 
tunately may be under the necessity of receiving it. 

" The General Society will, for the sake of frequent com- 
munications, be divided into State Societies, and these again 
into sucii districts as shall be directed by the State Society. 

" The Societies of the districts to meet as often as shall be 
agreed upon by the State Society ; those of the State on the 
fourth dciy of July annually, or oftener, if they shall find it 
expedient ; and the G eneral Society on the first Monday in 
May annually, so long as they shall deem it necessary, and 
afterwards, at least once in every three years. 

"At each meeting, the principles of the Institution will be 
fully considered, and the best measures to promote them 
adopted. 

" The State Societies will consist of all the members resi- 
dent in each State respectively ; and any member removing 
from one State to another, is to be considered, in all respects, 
as belonging to the Society of the State in which he shall ac- 
tually reside. 

" The State Societies to have a president, vice president, 
secretary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, to be chosen an- 
nually by a majority of votes, at the State meeting. 

" Each State meeting shall write annually, or oftener, if ne- 
cessary, a circular letter, to the other State Societies, noting 
whatever they may think worthy of observation, respecting the 
good of the Society, or the general union of the States, and 
giving information of the officers chosen for the current year. 
Copies of these letters shall be regularly transmitted to the 
secretary general of the Society, who will record them in a 
book to be assigned for that purpose. 



6 

" The State Societj'^ will regulate every thing respecting 
itself and the Societies of the Districts, consistent with the 
general maxims of the Cincinnati ; judge of the qualifications 
of the members who may be proposed ; and expel any mem- 
ber, who, by conduct inconsistent with a gendeman and a man 
of honor, or by an opposition to the interests of the commu- 
nity in general, or the Society in particular, may render him- 
self unworthy to continue a member. 

"In order to form funds which may be respectable, and 
assist the unfortunate, each officer shall deliver to the Trea- 
surer of the State Society, one month's pay, which shall 
remain for ever to the use of the State Societj- ; the interest 
only of which, if necessary, to be appropriated to the reUef 
of the unfortunate. 

" Donations may be made by persons not of the Society, 
and by members of the Society, for the express purpose of 
forming permanent funds for the use of the State Society ; 
and die interest of these donations appropriated in the same 
manner as that of the month's pay. 

"Moneys, at the pleasure of each member, may be sub- 
scribed in the Societies of the Disti-icts, or the State Societies, 
for the relief of the unfortunate members, or their widows 
and orphans, to be appropriated by the State Society only. 

" The meeting of the General Societ}^ shall consist of its 
officers, and a representation from each State Society, in num- 
ber not exceeding five, whose expenses shall be borne by 
their respective State Societies. 

" In the General Meeting, the President, Vice President, 
Secretary, Assistant Secretarjs Treasurer, and Assistant 
Treasurer-General, shall be chosen to serve until the next 
meeting. 

" The cii'cular letters which have been written by the re- 
spective State Societies to each other, and their particular 
laws, shall be read and considered, and all measures con- 



certed which may conduce to die general intendment of the 
Society. 

" It is probable that some persons may make donations to 
the General Society, for the pm-pose of estabhshing funds 
for the further comfort of tlie unfortunate; in which case, 
such donations must be placed in the hands of the Treasurer- 
General, the interest only of which to be disposed of, if ne- 
cessary, by the General Meeting. 

" All the officers of the American Army, as well those who 
have resigned with honor, after three years' service in the ca- 
pacity of officers, or who have been deranged by the resolu- 
tions of Congress, upon the several reforms of the army, as 
those who shall have continued to the end of the war, have 
the right to become parties to this Institution; provided that 
they subscribe one month's pay, and sign their names to the 
general rules, in their respective State Societies — those who 
are present with the army, immediately, and others within six 
months after the army shall be disbanded, extraordinary cases 
excepted. The rank, time of service, resolutions of Con- 
gress by which any have been deranged, and place of resi- 
dence, must be added to each name ; and as a testimony of 
affection to the memory and the offspring of such officers as 
have died in the service, then- eldest male branches shall have 
the same right of becoming members, as the children of the 
actual members of the Society. 

" Those officers who are foreigners, not resident in any of 
the States, will have theii- names enrolled by the Secretary- 
General, and are to be considered as members in the Socie- 
ties of any of the States in which they may happen to be. 

" And as there are, and will at all times be, men in the re- 
spective States, eminent for their abilities and patriotism, whose 
views may be du'ected to the same laudable objects with those 
of the Cincinnati, it shall be a rule to admit such characters 
as Honorary Members of the Society, for their own lives 



8 

only : Provided always, that the number of Honoraiy Mem- 
bers, in each State, does not exceed a ratio of one to four of 
the officers or their descendants. 

"Each State Society shall obtain a list of hs members, and, 
at the first annual meeting, the State Secretary shall have en- 
grossed, on parchment, two copies of the Institution of the 
Society, vvliich every member present, shall sign ; and the 
Secretary shall endeavor to procure the signature of every 
absent member ; one of those lists to be transmitted to the 
Secretary-General, to be kept in the archives of the Society, 
and the other to remain in the hands of the State Secretar)\ 
From the State-lists, the Secretary-General must make out, at 
the first general meeting, a complete list of the whole Society, 
with a copy of which he will furnish each State Secretary. 

" The Society shall have an Order, by which its members 
shall be known and distinguished, which shall be a medal of 
gold, of a proper size to receive the emblems, and suspended 
by a deep blue ribbon, t^vo inches wide, edged with white 
descriptive of the imion of America and France, viz : 

'* The principal figure, 

CIJN'CINNATUS: 

Three Senators presenting him with a sword and other military ensigns — on 

a field in the back-ground, his wife standing at the door of 

their Cottage — near It 

A PLOUGH AND IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY. 

Round the whole, 

OMNIA RELIQUIT SERVARE REMPUBLICAM. 

On the reverse. 

Sun rising a city with open gates, and vesssls entering the port — Kame 

crowning Cincinnatus with a wreath, inscribed 

VIRTUTIS PR/EMIUM. 

Below, 

HANDS JOINED, SUPPORTING A HEART, 

With the motto, 

ESTO PERPETUA. 

Round the whole, 

SOCIETAS CINCINNATORUM INSTITUTA, 
A.D. irs3.» 



9 

The Society, deeply impressed with a sense of the gener- 
ous assistance this country has received from France, and 
desirous of perpetuating the friendships which have been 
formed, and so happily subsisted, between the officers of the 
allied forces, in the prosecution of the war, direct, that the 
President-General transmit, as soon as may be, to each of the 
characters hereafter named, a medal containing the Order of 
the Society, viz : 

His Excellency the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister 

Plenipotentiary, 
His Ex'-.ellency the Sieur Gerard, late Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary, 
Their Excellencies 

The Count D'Estaing, 
The Count de Grasse, 
The Count de Barras, 
The Chevalier de Touches, 

Admirals and Commanders in the Navy. 
His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, Commander- 
in-Chief, 

And the Generals and Colonels of his army, and acquaint 
them, that the Society do themselves the honor to consider 
them as members. 

Resolved, That a copy of the aforegoing institution be 
given to the senior officer of each State Ime, and that the 
officers of the respective State lines, sign their names to the 
same, in manner and form following, viz : 

" We, the subscribers, officers of the American Army, do 
hereby voluntarily become parties to the foregoing institution, 
and do bind ourselves to observe, and be governed by, the 
principles therein contained. For the performance whereof 
we do solemnly pledge to each other our sacred honor. 
Done in the Cantonment, on Hudson's River, 
In the year 1783. 2 



10 

That the members of tlie Society, at the time of subscri- 
bing their names to the Institution, do also sign a draft on the 
Paymaster-General, in the following terms (the regiments to 
do it regimentally, and the Generals and other officers not 
belonguig to regiments, each for himself, individually) viz : 

" To John Pierce, Esquire, Paymaster- GeTieral to the Army 
of the United States. 

Sir : Please pay to Treasurer for the 

State Association of the Cincinnati, or his order, one month's 
pay of our several grades respectively, and deduct the same 
from the balance which shall be found due to us on the final 
liquidation of our accounts ; for which this shall be your 
warrant." 

That the members of the several State Societies assemble 
as soon as may be, for the choice of their President and other 
officers ; and that the Presidents correspond together, and 
appoint a meeting of the officers who may be choserr for 
each State, in order to pursue such further measures as may 
be judged necessary. 

That the General Officers, and the officers delegated to 
represent the several corps of the army, subscribe to the 
Institution of the General Society, for themselves and their 
constituents, in the manner and form before prescribed. 

That General Heath, 

General Baron de Steuben, and 
General Knox, 
be a committee to wait on his Excellency the Commander-in- 
Chief, with a copy of the Institution, and request him to 
honor die Society by placing his name at the head of it. 

That Major General Heath, second in command in 
this army, be, and he hereby is desired to transmit copies of 
the Institution, with the proceedings thereon, to the command- 
ing officer of the southern army, the senior officer in each 
State, from Pennsylvania to Georgia, inclusive, and to the 



11 

commanding officer of the Rhode Island line, requesting them 
to communicate the same to the officers under their several 
commands, and to take sucii measures as may appear to them 
necessary for expediting the establishment of their State 
Societies, and sending a delegation to represent them in the 
first general meeting to be holden on the first Monday in May, 
1784. The meeting then adjourned without day. 

STEUBEN, Major-General, President. 



Cantonment of the American Army, 19ih June, 1783, 
At a meeting of the General Officers, and the gentlemen 
delegated by the respective regiments, as a Convention for 
establishing the Society of the Cincinnati, held by the request 
of the President, at which were present, 

Major-General Baron de Steuben, President, 

Major-General Howe, 

Major-General Knox, 

Brigadier-General Patterson, 

Brigadier-General Hand, 

Brigadier-General Huntington, 

Brigadier-General Putnam, 

Colonel Webb, 

Lieutenant-Colonel HuNTiNGTdN, 

Major Pettengill, 

Lieutenant Whiting, 

Colonel H. Jackson, 

Captain Shaw, 

Lieutenant-Colonel Hull, 

Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, 

Colonel Courtlandt. 
General Baron de Steuben acquainted the Convention 
that he had, agreeably to tiieir request, at the last meeting, 
transmitted to his Excellency the Chevalier de la Luzerne, 
Minister Plenipotentiary from the Court of France, a copy 
of the Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, with their 



12 

vote respecting liis Excellency, and the other characters 
therein mentioned ; and that his Excellency had returned an 
answer, declaring his acceptance of the same, and expressing 
the grateful sense he entertains of the honor conferred on 
himself, and the other gendemen of die French nation, by 
this act of the Convention. 

Resolved, That the letter of the Chevalier de la Luzerne 
be recorded in die proceedings of this day, and deposited 
in the archives of the Society, as a testimony of the high 
sense -this Convention entertains of tlie honor done to the 
Society by his becoming a member thereof. 

The Letter is as follows : 

Philadelphie, le 3 Juin, 1783. 
"Monsieur le Baron, 

"J'ai reyu avec beiiucoup de reconDoissance les statuts de I'ordre 
respectable que messieurs lesofficiers de I'armee Americaiiie vienneiit 
de fonder : si le courage, la patience, et toutes les vertus quo cetle 
brave armee a si souvent deployees dans le cours de cette guerre, 
pouvoient jamais etre onbli^es, ce monument seul les rapelleroif. 

"J'ose vous assurer, monsieur, que tous les officiers de ma nation, 
que vous avez bien voulu admettre dans votre societe, en seront iufin- 
iment honores; je vous prie d'etre bien persuade que je sens, en mou 
particulier, bien viveraent I'honneur que m'ont fait messieurs les offi- 
ciers de I'armee, en daispant penser a moi dans cette occasion. Je 
compte aller rendre mes devoirs ;\ son excellence le General Wash- 
ington, aussitot que le traite definitif sera signe, et j'aurai I'honneur 
de les assurer de vive voix de ma respectueuse reconnoissance. 

•' Je saisis avec un grand empressement cette occasion de vous 
renouveller les sentiments du tres parfait et tres respectueux attach- 
ment avec lesquels j'ai I'honneur d'etre, Monsieur le Baron, 

votre tres humble, et 
tres obeissant serviteur, 
LE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE. 
Monsieur, Monsieur le Baron de Steuben, Major-General \ 
au service des Etats Unis, au Quartier General." > 

The Baron having also communicated a letter from Major 
L'Enfant, enclosing a design for the medal and order, con- 
taining the emblems of the Institution, 



13 

Resolved, That the bald eagle, carrying the emblems on its 
breast, be established as the order of the Society, and that the 
ideas of Major L'Enfant respecting it, and the manner of its 
being worn by die members, be adopted. That the order be 
of the same size, and in every other respect conformable to 
the said design, which for that purpose is certified by the Ba- 
ron de Steuben, President of this Convention, and to be de- 
posited in the archives of the Society as the original, from 
which all copies are to be made. Also, that silver medals, 
not exceeding the size of a Spanish milled dollar, with the 
emblems as designed by Major L'Enfant, and certified by 
the President, be given to each and every member of the So- 
ciety, together witli a diploma, on parchment, whereon shall 
be imjjressed the exact figures of the order and medal, as 
above mentioned ; any thing in the original institution, res- 
pecting gold medals, to the contrary notwiriistanding. 

Major L'Enf ant's letter is as follows : 

Philadelphie, ie 10 Juin, 1783. 
"MoN General, 

Aussitnt apres la reception de votre lettre en ilate du 20 Mai, laquelle 
lie m'est parvenu que le 7, ayant ete par hazard ii la poste, je me suis 
occupe des projets de la medaille. Je vous envoye les desseins de 
deux faces, que j'ai faits, en grand, u fin qu'on puisse mieux juger de 
I'ensemble. Lors de I'execution on la reduira a la grandeur convenable 
qui pour peur que Von exige de precision dans le dessein, ne doit pas 
etre plus petite qu'un dollar, le sujet se trouvant trop complique pour 
que les details puissent etre apperpus sous une plus petite iliinension. 

" Je ne I'ai point fait ovale, ainsi que vous ine le deiuandez, vii que 
cette forme est peu propre ii une medaille ; d'ailleurs, on pourra tou- 
jours la faire au moment de I'execution, si on persiste absolument a 
vouloir porter I'ordre sous cette forme, ci laquelle je crois que tout 
autre seroit preferable ; ainsi que je crois et espere que vous en serez 
bien persuade, et ferez en sorts d"en convaincre les personnes qui 
composent le comite relatif a cette institution, auxquelles je vous prie 
de comrouniquer les observations suivantes. 

" La medaille, ronde ou ovale, n'est consideree dans les diflferents 
^tats de TEurope que comme une recompense d'artiste, d'artisant, ou 



14 

conime un signe de communaut^ de fabriqunnts, ousociete religieuse — 
en outre, I'usage abusif que Ton en fait, particulierement en Allemagne 
el en Italie, d'oii il arrive en France, des baladins, des musicians, 
decores de cette maniere, rend necessaire de distinguer cet ordre par 
une forme qui lui soit particuliere, et puisse, en honorant celui qui 
en sera decore, remplir le double objet de se faire respecter par son 
simple aspect, de ceu\ nieme qui en seront appnrtes d'en detaillerles 
ditTerentes empreintes. 

"Ce n'est pas que je croye qu'une forme, oii une autre changera 
I'opinion d'un peuple republicain accoutume a penser, mais je dis, que 
dans une institution pareille, le premier but doit etre de serendre re- 
spectable a tous les peuples du munde; et que ce n'est qu'en parlant 
aux yeux qu'on attire I'atteiition du vulgaire, qu'il y a des prejuges 
d'habitude qui ne peuvent etre detruits — qu'uu homme qualifie et deja 
decore en Europe ne portera pas une raedaille, ou, siflatte de recevoir 
une marque de distinction d'une sociefe respectable, il la portoit, ce 
seroit d'une maniere peu propre afaire accrediteria valeurde I'ordre. 
Qu'au contraire, en lui donnantune forme nouvelle en paiticulier, ce 
sera ajouter a sa valeur reelle, celle de la rendre reccommeudable, en 
engageant ceux qui en seront decores k en faire parade de pair avec 
les autres orders militaires, ce qui est le plus sijr moyen de lamettre 
d'abord de niveau avec eux. 

"Le bald eagle qui est particulier a ce continent et qui se distingue 
a celui des autres climats, par sa tete et sa queue blanches, m'a paru 
meriter de I'attention. 

" Je vous envoy e deux essais que j'ai faits; je desire que I'un des 
deux puisse etre adopte au lieu et place de la medaille. Dans I'un, 
je fais I'aigle supportant une etoile, a treize pointes, dans le centre de 
laquelle est renfermee la figure de la medaille avec les inscriptions 
tant sur la face que sur le reverse. On pourroit ajouter une legende 
dans les serres et autour du col de I'aigle, avec une inscription partic- 
uliere, oii bien y transferre celle du contour de la medaille. Dans 
I'autre, j'ai fait I'aigle simplement portant sur sa poitrine la figure de 
la medaille, avec une legende dans ses serres et autour du col, laquelle 
lui repasse par derriere le dos pour soutenir le rovers. Je prefererois 
'e dernier, en ce qu'il n'a rapport a aucun ordre et porte avec lui un 
caractere distinctif, et ne seroit pas fort dispendieux a faire executor. 
Le premier menee, quoique plus compliqu^, ne reviendroit pas aussi 
clier qu'on pourroit le penser, toute fois qu'on en cliargeroit des per- 
sonnes capables de I'executer: ce qui ne pent avoir lieu non plus que 
relativement ;i la medaille qu'en I'envoyanten Europe, ce i|ui n'exige- 



15 

roit pas beaucoup de tems, et ne seroit pas si dispendieux, que d'en 
confier I'execution a des personnes incapables. 

" Une medaille est un monument qui passe a la posterite ; et par 
consequent il est necessaire qu'elle soil portee au degre de perfection 
possible dans le siecle oii elle est fi'appee. (Jr, bien frapper une me- 
daille est une chose qui lemande de I'babitude et un boa coin, or il n'y 
a ici ni balancier propre k cette besogne ni gens capables de faire un 
'bon coin, je me chargerois volontiers derecommender I'execution de 
la medaille, de I'aigle ou ordre, h gens capables de I'executer k Paris. 

•' Bien loin que je propose de changer la medaile ovale et un aigle 
sur lequel seroit enipreint cette medaille, je ne pretends pas dire qu'ils 
ne spavent pas frapper des medailles. Au contraire, voici quelle est 
uion idee k ce sujet. 

"On pourroit faire frapper ici des medailles d'argent aux fiais com- 
umns de la societe, et en distribuer une k chacun de ses membres, 
comme un litre adaple k la patente de parchemin, sur laquelle il sera 
aussi k propos de graver la figure de la medaille, la forme de I'aigle ou 
de I'etoile, avec sa plus grande dimension, detaillant les couleurs, en 
soignant de s'y conformer, laissant la liberte aux chevaliers que s'en 
pourvoyeront k leurs depens, de la faire de tel metal, et aussi petite 
que possible, sans alteration d'aucun des emblemes. II ne me parroit 
pas non plus k propos que les chevaliers honoraires portassent I'ordre 
pareille aux chevaliers de droit. II faudroit qu'on signifiat qu'ils por- 
tassent la medaille, ou I'etoile, ou I'aigle en sautoir, et les chevaliers 
a la 3me bouttoniere. 

" Mon General, ce sont les remarques que je vous prie de faire 
traduire, et de les soumettre k I'opinion general. Je vous serois oblige 
de me faire savoir quelle issue cette lettre aura, et quelle sera la deci- 
sion qu'on en donnera. J'ai, &c. &c., L'Enfant. 

"N. B. Latete et la queue de I'aigle seroient d'argent ou eraaillees 
en blanc, le corps et les ailes d'or, la medaille sur sa poitrine et sur son 
dos, emaillee en couleur de meme que la legende. On pourroit y 
ajouter des branches de laurier et de chene dans les ailes, pour lors 
qu'on emailleroit en verd: I'etoile du medallion seroit pointee en or, ou 
emaillee bleu et blanc, ceux qui voudroient faire le depense pourroient 
avoir en diamant tout ce qui est blanc. Le ruban seroit moire comme 
celui de tons les autres ordres." 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be trans- 
mitted, by the President, to Major L'Enfant, for his care and 
ingenuity in preparing the afore-mentioned designs, and that 
he be acquainted that they cheerfully embrace his offer of 



16 

assistance, and request a continuance of his attention in 
carrying the designs into execution, for which purpose the 
President is desired to correspond with him. 

Resolved, That his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief 
be requested to officiate as President-General, until the first 
general meeting, to be held in May next. 

That a Treasurer-General, and a Secretary-General be 
ballotted for, to officiate in like manner. 

The ballots being taken, Major-General M'Dougall was 
elected Treasurer-General, and Major-General Knox, Secre- 
tary-General, who are hereby requested to accept said appoint- 
ments. 

Resolved, That all the proceedings of this Convention, in- 
cluding the Institution of the Society, be recorded (from the 
original papers in his possession) by captain Shaw, who at 
the first meeting was requested to act as Secretary, and that 
the same, signed by the President's Secretary, together with 
the original papers, be given into the hands of Major-General 
Knox, Secretary-General to the Society; and that Captain 
North, aid-de-camp to the Baron de Steuben, and acting 
secretary to him as President, sign the said records. 

The dissolution of a very considerable part of the army, 
since the last meeting of this Convention, having rendered the 
attendance of some of its members impracticable, and the 
necessity for some temporary arrangements, previous to the 
first meeting of the General Society, being so strikingly ob- 
vious, the Convention found itself constrained to make those 
before mentioned, which they have done with the utmost diffi- 
dence of themselves, and relying entirely on the candor of 
their Constituents to make allowance for the measure. The 
principal objects of its appointment being thus accomplished, 
the members of this convention think fit to dissolve the same, 
and it is hereby dissolved accordingly. 

True copy from the records of the Society. 

W. North, Secretary to the President. 



STATEMENT 



SOME OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS 



OF THE 



(Bmml lorirti] of tlie Cinrinnatl 



The first General Meeting of the Society, after its organ- 
ization, was held in Philadelphia, in May, 1784, and propos- 
ed the following amended Institution : 

" It having pleased the Supreme Governor of the Universe 
to give success to the arms of our country, and to establish 
the United States free and independent: Therefore, gratefully 
to commemorate this event; to inculcate to the latest ages 
the duty of laying down in peace, arms assumed for public 
defence, by forming an Institution which recognizes that most 
important principle ; to continue the mutual friendships which 
commenced under the pressure of common danger; and to 
effectuate the acts of beneficence, dictated by the spirit of 
brotherly kindness towards those officers and their famihes, 
who unfortunately may be under the necessity of receiving 
them ; the officers of the American Army do hereby consti- 
tute themselves into a Society of Friends : and possessing* 
the highest veneration for the character of that illustrious 
Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, denominate them- 
selves the SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 



18 

Sec. 1. The persons who constitute this Society are all 
the commissioned and brevet officers of the Army and Navy 
of the United States, who have served three years, and who 
left the service with reputation ; all officers who were in ac- 
tual service at the conckision of the war ; all the principal 
Staff Officers of the Continental Army; and the officers who 
have been deranged by the several resolutions of Congress, 
upon the different reforms of the army. 

Sec. 2. There are also admitted into this Society, the 
late and present Ministers of his Most Christian Majesty to 
the United States; all the Generals and Colonels of regi- 
ments and legions of the land forces ; all the Admirals and 
Captains of the Navy, ranking as Colonels, who have co-ope- 
rated with the armies of the United States, in their exertions 
for liberty ; and such otiier persons as have been admitted by 
the respective State meetings. 

Sec. 3. The Society shall have a President, Vice President, 
Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. 

Sec. 4. There shall be a meeting of the Society, at least 
once in three years, on the first Monday in May, at such place 
as die President shall appoint. 

The said meeting shall consist of the aforesaid officers 
(whose expenses shall be equally borne by the State funds) 
and a representation from each State. 

The business of this general meeting shall be, to regulate 
the distribution of surplus funds ; to appoint officers for the 
ensuing term ; and to conform the by-laws of the State meet- 
ings to the general objects of the Institution. 

Sec. 5. The Society shall be divided into State meetings ; 
*each meeting shall have a President, Vice President, Secre- 
tary, and Treasurer, respectively ; to be chosen by a majority 
of votes annually. 

Sec. 6. The State meetings shall be on the Anniversary of 
Independence. They shall concert such measures as may 



conduce to the benevolent purposes of the Society ; and the 
several State meetings shall, at suitable periods, make appli- 
cations to their respective legislatures for grants of charters. 

Sec. 7. Any member removing from one State to another, 
is to be considered, in all respects as belonging to the meet- 
ing of the State in which he shall actually reside. 

Sec. 8. The State meeting shall judge of the qualification 
of its members, admonish, and (if necessary) expel any one 
who may conduct himself unworthily. 

Sec. 9. The Secretary of each State meeting, shall regis- 
ter the names of the members resident in each Stale, and trans- 
mit a copy thereof to the Secretary of the Society. 

Sec. 10. In order to form funds for the relief of unfortu- 
nate members, their widows and orphans, each officer shall 
deliver to the Treasurer of the State meeting one-month's pay. 

Sec. 11. No donations shall be received, but from citizens 
of the United States. 

Sec. 12. The funds of each State meeting shall be loaned 
to the State by permission of the legislature, and the interest 
only, annually to be applied for the purposes of the Society ; 
and if, in process of time, difficulties should occur in execu- 
ting the intentions of the Society, the legislatures of the seve- 
ral States shall be requested to make such equitable disposi- 
tions as may be most correspondent with the original design 
of the Institution. 

Sec. 13. The subjects of his Most Christian Majesty, 
members of this Society, may hold meetings at their pleasure, 
and form regulations for their police, conformably to the objects 
of the Institution, and to the spirit of their government. 

Sec. 14. The Sociefy shall have an order; which shall be 
a bald eagle of gold, bearing on its breast the emblems here- 
after described, suspended by a deep blue ribbon edged with 
white, descriptive of the union of America and France. 



20 

" The principal figure, Cincinnatus ; three Senators pre- 
senting him with a sword and otiier military ensigns. On a 
field, in the back ground, his wife standing at the door of their 
cottage : near it a plough and other' implements of husband- 
ry. Round the whole, omnia reliquit servare rempubUcam. 
On the reverse, sun rising ; a city with open gates, and ves- 
sels entering the port ; Fame crowning Cincinnatus with a 
wreath, inscribed virtutis pramium. Below, hands joined, 
supporting a heart, with the motto, esto perpetua. Round the 
whole, Societas Cincinnatorum Instituta, A. D. 1783." 

Sec. 15. A silver medal, representing the emblems, to be 
given to each member of the Society ; together with a diploma 
on parchment, whereon shall be impressed the figures of the 
order and medal, as above mentioned. 

This amended Institution was transmitted to the several 
State Societies, accompanied by a Circular Letter, urging an 
agreement on their part to the proposed alterations. 

Triennial Meeting, May, 1787. 

Present — Nine State Societies represented. It appears 
from the proceedings of this meeting that several of the State 
Societies of the Cincinnati, had not agreed to the alterations 
proposed at the General Meeting in 1784, and that those al- 
terations cannot take efiect until they have been agreed to by 
all the State' Societies, and it appearing to be the general 
sense of the said Societies that some alterations in the Insti- 
tution ought to be made, and that such alterations as may be 
necessary could not conveniently and effectually be made, but 
at a general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, speci- 
ally authorised to agree upon and finally establish the same, 
it was therefore, 

" Resolved, That it be recommended to the several State 
Societies to empower their delegates to agree upon, and 



21 

finally establish such alterations as may be necessary in the 
constitution of the Society." • 

A similar recommendatory resolution was adopted at an ex- 
tra General Meeting, in May, 1788 ; also, atthe Triennial Meet- 
ing held in May, 1790 ; and again at the extra General Meet- 
ing held in May, 1791— 

At the Triennial Meeting in May, 179-3, (seven State 
Societies being represented,) it was 

"Unanimously Resolved,' That the several State So- 
cieties of the Cincinnati be again strongly enjoined to send 
forward a full representation to the next Triennial General 
Meeting, to be held in the City of Philadelphia, on the first 
Monday in May, 1796, fully empowered to agree upon, and 
finally establish, all such alterations as may be thought ne- 
cessary in the general Constitution of the Cincinnati — 

" That it be recommended to the State Societies to resolve 
that any amendments or alterations in the Institution of the 
Society of the Cincinnati, which may be concurred in by 
the representation of seven State Societies in the next general 
meeting, shall be obligatory upon them, and inviolably obser- 
ved by every State Society, although not therein represented ; 
and to transmit such resolve, duly authenticated, to the Sec- 
retary-General." 

Only five State Societies were represented at the Triennial 
Meeting in May, 1796. The delegates to tlvs meeting ad- 
dressed the following Circular Letter to the several State 
Societies : 

Philaedlphla, May 6, 1796. 
To the Preddent of the State Society of the 

Cincinnati. 

SIR, 

The General Society of the Cincinnati, convened agreeably 
to the original constitution, regret the necessity by which they 
are compelled to address the State Societies in the language 



22 

of complaint and remonstrance ; but anxious to perpetuate 
the benevolent nibtives by which the officers of the American 
Army were actuated at the tiiumphant close of an arduous 
eight years' contest, they cannot forbear remarking on the 
supine, and, as they conceive, reprehensible conduct of the 
State Societies, in thus repeatedly neglecting their represen- 
tations in the General Meeting. 

Representatives only from the Societies of Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, 
have met at this time ; and being incompetent to any other 
purposes of their appointment than the choice of officers for 
the ensuing three yeai's, they are obliged, after several days 
unavailing attendance, to adjourn. 

The inconvenience to delegates, who are sent from remote 
parts of the Union, and the expense incurred by these fruit- 
less attempts to transact the business of the Society, are lost 
in the more important consideration that the very existence of 
the Society is endangered by the continued inattention of the 
State Societies, which inattention is by some, and not without 
apparent cause, construed into a designed dereliction of the 
Institution itself. 

The objects of the Triennial Meetings of 1790 and 1793, 
and of the extra meetings of 17S8 and 1791, have all failed, 
from this unaccountable apathy on the part of some of the 
State Societies ; and even the proposed alteration of the con- 
stitution, which was deemed of sufficient importance to have 
claimed the immediate and animated attention of every State 
Society, has shared the fate of other propositions, and re- 
mains yet undetermined. 

To facilitate die discussion of diis primary object, and to 
render the final decision thereon as certain and convenient as 
possible, it was proposed to the State Societies, by the General 
Meeting in 1793, that they should pass resolutions, to be trans- 
mitted to the Secretary-General, declaring the consent of 



23 

seven States, in General Meeting, competent to make such 
alterations in the original Constitution, as should be thought 
advantageous and necessary. It is painful to observe, that 
answers from five State Societies only have yet been made to 
this interesting communication. 

The delegates to the present General Meeting actuated by 
the spirit of their constituents, and alarmed at the indifference 
which has hitherto prevailed, beg leave most earnestly to so- 
licit the attention of such State Societies, as have heretofore 
neglected it, to this important object; and they recommend 
that every exertion be made toward completing the State 
representations in the next Triennial General Meeting, and to 
guard against the consequence of any failure therein, it is re- 
quested that the several State Societies would, in the interme- 
diate time, transmit their resolutions, relative to the requisition 
of 1793, to the Secretary-General. 

When the objects contemplated in this recommendation 
and request are considered, when it is understood diat the 
means of improving the mtercourse between State and Gen- 
eral Meetings, a final decision on the Constitution, and even 
the duration of the Society, may depend on what is now to 
be done by the State Societies, the General Meeting cannot 
but be persuaded of a prompt and effectual compliance with 
what they here respectfully purpose, and anxiously enjoin upon 
their brethren of the State Societies. 

Thomas Mifflin, Vice President. 

John S. Dexter, Rhode Island. 

Ephraim Kirby, 

Benjamin Tallmadge, 

Elias Boudinot, J 

Aaron Ogden, \ New Jersey. 

Joseph Bloomfield, ) 



Connecticut. 



24 

1 



Thomas M'Kean, 

Stephen Moylan, ■■ _, , . 

„ „ > i'ennsylvania. 

KicHARD Peters, | 

William Jackson, 

Thomas H. M'Calla, 

Thomas Tudor Tucker, 

James Kennedy, i 

John Markland, J 



1 

)■ South Carolina. 



In May, 1799, only two Societies were represented at the 
Triennial General Meeting. The Secretary-General was, 
however, instructed to write to the Presidents of the several 
State Societies, transmitting a copy of the preceding letter, 
addressed to the State Societies by the delegates to the Gene- 
ral Meeting in 1796, and " urging in the most pointed terms 
the necessity of a particular attention to the objects therein 
enjoined." 

An adjourned meeting was held in Philadelphia, May 6th, 
1800, at which delegates were present from the State Socie- 
ties of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and South Carolina. 
The following Cu'cular Letter addressed by the Secretary- 
General to the Presidents of the several Societies, was laid 
before the meeting. 

Philadelphia, May 24, 1799. 
Sir, 

In pursuance of an instruction by the delegates who at- 
tended the last General Meeting of the Cincinnati, I do my- 
self the honor to transmit to you a copy of the letter, which 
was addressed by the General Meeting of 1796, to the seve- 
ral State Societies, which you will be pleased to lay before 
your State Society at their next annual meeting. 

It is intended by again submitting this interesting letter to 
the consideration of the State Societies, to call their attention, 



in the most earnest manner, to the important objects which it 
enjoins. 

The delegates to the General Meeting, appointed to be 
held in this city on the first Monday of the present month, 
not constituting a quorum to transact any other business than 
the election of officer? for the ensuing diree years, resolved 
to adjourn the General Meeting to the first Monday in May 
next, and to request that the several State Sociedes would ap- 
point and instruct delegates to attend at the city of Philadel- 
phia on that day. 

It was supposed that every doubt of a full representa'ion, 
and punctual attendance, might be obviated by suggesting to 
the State Sociedes the expediency of appointing such of their 
members as would be attfendant on the Federal Government, 
delegates to the General Meeting of die Cincinnati, which is 
to be held in diis city on the first Monday in May next. 

Permit me to solicit your particular attention to this commu- 
nicadon; and to assure you of the respectful attachment, 
with which 

I have the honor to be. Sir, 

Your faithful and obedient servant, 

William Jackson, 
Secretary-General of the Cincinnau. 

On modon. General Bloomfield, Dr. Hitchcock, and 
General Huntington were appointed a Committee to exam- 
ine the records of the Society, and report to this meeting the 
state of the Insdtution. 

On the second day of this meeting, (May 7, 1800,) Gene- 
ral Bloomfield from the above committee made report as 
follows : 

The Committee appointed to examine the records of the 
Society, and to report to this meeting the state of th^nstitu- 
tion, as relative to the alteration of the Constitution, which 

4 



2<i 

was proposed by the General Meeting held in the city of 
Philadelphia in the year 1784, beg leave to report, 

That on inspecting the documents in the possession of the 
Secretary-General they do not find that any additional com- 
munications have been made from the several State Societies, 
since the Circular Letter from the General Meeting of 1796, 
on die subject of the proposed alteration above referred to. 

From the silence which the State Societies have observed, 
after the pressing Circular Letters of the General Meeting, 
your Committee are led to conclude, that they do not accede 
to the proposed reform ; and } our Committee conceive there- 
from that they are authorised to report to the General Meet- 
ing— 

That the Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati re- 
mains as it was originally -proposed and adopted by the offi- 
cers of the American Army, at their Cantonments on the 
banks of the Hudson River, in 17S3. 
Joseph Bloomfield, ^ 
Enos Hitchcock, \ Committee. 

Eben. Huntington, } 
May 7th, 1800. 

Which report, on motion of General Smith, seconded by 
Colonel Lawrence, was unanimously adopted. 

It was moved by Major Pinckney, seconded by General 
Howard, 

That a majority of the State Societies, which shall con- 
vene in General Meeting, is competent to recommend altera- 
tions in the Constitution, which alterations being afterwards 
assented to by seven State Societies, shall be binding on all the 
State Societies : Provided, the consent to such alterations 
be reported by the Societies agreeing to the same, to the next 
General Meeting. 



27 

The ayes and noes on the foregoing resolutions being taken 
by State Societies, are as follows : 

Massachusetts, No. 

Rhode Island, No. 

Connecticut, No. 

New York, No. 

New Jersey, No. 

Pennsylvania, No. 

Maryland, Divided. 

South Carolina, Divided. 

So it passed in the negative. 

. This meeting, being the first held after the de^th of Gene- 
ral Washington, ordered the following testimonial of re- 
spect to his memory to be entered upon their records : 

" Under the most profound impression of veneration and 
affection, the Society of the Cincinnati, at a General Meet- 
ing, are called upon to express the mournful tribute of their 
sorrow, at that awful dispensation of Providence, which has 
recently removed from their councils, their much revered and 
lamented President-General. 

" The arduous, ihough successful struggle which terminated 
in establishing the liberties of our country, and in which they 
fought under his banners, and shared with him the dangers 
and toils of the field, attached him to this Societ)^, by ties of 
the most intimate and endearing nature. His valor and pru- 
dence seemed to control the events of War, led the Ameri- 
can Armies to victory, and achieved the independence of 
their country. Whilst mingling their tears with those of their 
fellow citizens, they are naturally impelled to pour out the 
effusions of a deeper regret, for the irreparable loss which 
they have sustained. 

" But it is not only in their relationship to this illustrious 
character, as soldiers, that the Society of the Cincinnati have 
cause to deplore his loss. 



■ 28 

" When the storm of War had ceased to rage, and the bles- 
sings of Peace had been restored, their country was suffering 
under the weaiiness of a confederation, which threatened the 
existence of that Union, which their joint efforts in arms had 
so essentially contributed to establish. 

" With his auspicious co-operation, a Constitution was form- 
ed, calculated, by its wisdom and energy, to redeem us from that 
prostrate state to which we had been reduced, and to restore 
that reputation which our country had lost, from the imbe- 
cility of the old system. The administration of the govern- 
ment was committed to his care, and his country will ever 
hold in grateful remembrance the inflexible virtue and forti- 
tude with which he conducted its affairs, and saved it from 
the effects of domestic faction and foreign intrigue. 

"After a second retirement from the active scenes of public 
life, in which his merits as a Statesman rivalled his fame as a 
Soldier, his country, at the approach of danger, again re- 
quired his services. The crisis was important, and the situa- 
tion delicate ; a nation which had mingled its blood with ours, 
in the defence of our liberties, had now assumed a hostile 
appearance ; a war from this unexpected quarter threatened 
the peace of our country. 

" W ASHiNGTON, who uever hesitated when urged by a sense 
of duty, obeyed the call of the Government. He again 
abandoned his beloved retirement, hazarded a reputation, con- 
summate in every point of view, and assumed tlie command 
of the Armies. His military companions, who had frequently 
witnessed the magnanimity of his conduct in seasons of ad- 
versity, as well as of triumph, felt the full force of their coun- 
try's appeal to arms, whilst Washington was their leader. 

" In this momentous crisis of our affairs, by the inscrutable 
decrees of Heaven, he was snatched from America and the 
world. 



29 

" Under this pressure of calamity, which more peculiarly 
operates upon the sensibilities of this Society, their only con- 
solation is derived from the animating reflection, that although 
he is summoned to the enjoyment of the happy destinies of a 
future state, the bright example of his virtues and talents will 
still survive, and the inheritance of his name prove a future 
incentive to heroes and legislators, who will strive to emulate 
his fame, and merit the glory he has acquired." 

At the Triennial Meeting held in May, 1829, " a question 
having arisen, whether, in case of the death of a member 
having no male issue, except a grandson, the issue of a 
daughter, such grandson shall be preferred to male collaterals, 
the Society conceived the true construction of the Consti- 
tution to be, that the grandson shall be preferred, he being in 
the direct line of descent." 

November 29, 1848. — At a General Meeting held in 
Philadelphia, the Secretary-General, in conformity with the 
resolution of a previous meeting requesting him to " collect 
from the minutes and proceedings of the Society, the different 
rules and regulations that have been from time to time adopted 
in regard to the election and tenure of members and officers," 
presented the following Report, which was adopted, and or- 
dered to be printed for the use of members of the State 
Societies : 

" The Secretary-General reports : 

" That he has carefully examined all the minutes and pro- 
ceedings of the Society in his possession, and respectfully 
submits the following as the result : 

" The Constitution, accepted by the Society in 1783, pro- 
vides that the members shall consist of the officers of the 
American Army, as well those who have resigned with 
honor, after three years' service in the capacity of' officers, 



30 

or who have been deranged by the resolutions of Congress, 
upon the several reforms of the Army, as those who shall 
have continued to the end of the war. Those officers who 
are foreigners, not resident in any of the States, to have their 
names enrolled by the Secretary-General. And declares the 
Society shall endure as long as they endure, or any of their 
eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral 
branches, who may be judged worthy of becoming its sup- 
porters and members. 

" This last provision is extended in hke manner to the de- 
scendants of such officers as had died in the service. 

" The admission of honorary members /or thtir own lives 
only, is also provided for by the Constitution ; but they are 
not to exceed in number, in each State, a ratio of one to four 
of the officers or their descendants. 

" The same instrument directs, that ' in the General Meet- 
ing, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Sec- 
retary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer General, shall be 
chosen to serve until next meeting.' 

" At the first General Meeting of the Society, held on the 
4th of May, 1784, and continued by adjournment until the 
18th of said month, it was unanimously resolved, " that the 
manner of voting be by the representation of each State So- 
ciety." Subsequently, at said meeting, material alterations in 
the Constitution were agreed to, affecdng (inter alia) the elec- 
tion and tenure of members and officers. These alterations, 
however, never received the sanction of the State Societies, 
as appears by the unanimous adoption, in General Meeting, 
in May, A. D. 1800, of the following report of a committee 
appointed to examine the records of the Society, and report 
to said meeting the state of the Institution, viz : 

" That the Insthution of the Society of the Cincinnati re- 
mains as it was originally proposed and adopted by the offi- 



31 

cers of the American Army, at tlieir Cantonments on the 
banks of the Hudson, in 1783." 

" Since the re-acknowledgment of the original Institution, 
the Secretary-General finds nothing touching the election or 
tenure of members, except the following, extracted from the 
minutes of a General Meeting, held on the 4th of May, 1829, 
viz : 

" A question having arisen, whether in case of the death of 
a member having no male issue except a grandson, die issue 
of a daughter, such grandchild shall be preferred to collate- 
rals. The Society conceives the true construction of the 
Constitution to be, that the grandchild shall be preferred, he 
being in the direct line of descent." 

" And in relation to the officers of the Society, he finds that 
since the substitution of special for stated Triennial Meetings, 
the officers have been chosen for three years, and thence- 
forward until a new election takes place. 

A. W. Johnston, Secretary-General." 

At the same meedng the following resolutions were offer- 
ed, viz : 

1st. That a Committee be appointed to inquire and report 
to this Society, if it be not expedient and proper to suspend, 
alter, or abrogate the limitation with regard to the admission 
of members. 

2d. To inquire and report what alteration in the By-Laws 
are necessary and proper on the subject of the admission of 
members. 

The resolutions were referred to a committee consisting of 
Mr. Daveis, Col. Scott, and Governor Fish. 

This committee presented the following Report in writing 
to the General Meeting, held in New York, in May, 1851, 
accompanied by an ordinance relative to the succession and 
admission of members. 



32 

" The Committee appointed at the Triennial Meetino; of the 
General Society of the Cincinnati, held in Philadelphia in 
November, 1848, to which were referred the following reso- 
lutions, viz : 

1. That a Committee be appointed to inquire and report 
to this Society if it be not expedient and proper to suspend, 
alter, or abrogate the limitation with regard to the admission 
of members. 

2. To inquire and report what alteration in the By-Laws 
are necessary and proper on the subject of the admission of 
members. 

And also, a communication from General H. A. S. Dear- 
born, which was read to that meeting, and entered upon the 
minutes, respectfully report — 

" That they have approached the important and delicate 
subject committed to them with careful and anxious solicitude, 
and have endeavored to give to it the most attentive consid- 
eration. 

" For this purpose they have deemed it proper in the first 
place to look back to the original foundation of the Institution 
as established by the officers of the American Army at the 
Cantonment on the Hudson River, in May, 1783, on the eve 
of the disbandment of that Army. Next to consider the 
interpretation given to that Institution by those who have pre- 
ceded us, and more especially by those who were actors in 
the scenes which created those ties of friendship and affec- 
tion which the Institution was designed to transmit and to 
perpetuate ; and then to look to the present usage, and to the 
condition of the Society and the several branches, in order to 
see how far such usage and condition may be in unison with 
the fimdamental principles of the Institution, and with the 
intentions of its founders, and whether any alterations are now 
required. 



33 

" As this Society is at present constituted, the extent of its 
powers to make any radical change in its principles of orga- 
nization is questionable. 

" The original Institution breathes in every line a spirit of 
patriotism and of devotion to country, and of the most ardent 
love and affection among its members ; but it is evident that 
it was fiamed by men who were more familiar with the camp, 
than with the precision and formalities usual in preparing Irgal 
documents. It looked to general results, well understood by 
those who were parties to its formation, but not expressed 
with the precision which leaves no room for doubt in the 
minds of those who are to obtain their knowledge of its in- 
tentions only from its perusal. 

" In May, 1783, ' the officers of the American Army did, 
in the most solemn manner, associate, constitute, and combine 
themselves into one Society of Friends, to endure as long as 
they shall endure, or any of their eldest male posterity, and 
in failure thereof, the collateral branches, who may be judged 
worthy of becoming its supporters and members.' 

" This Society, (being ^oiie') was ^for the sake of frequent 
communications'' to ' be divided into State Societies, and 
those again into such districts as shall be directed by the State 
Society.' It is not known whether any of the State Socie- 
ties, except that of New York, was ever divided into District 
Societies. Such sub-division was made in New York, al- 
though it has long since ceased. 

" The Institution makes no provision for any alteration or 
amendment ; nor does it define any power as belonging to 
the General Society over the State Societies, and it does not 
seem to have contemplated the possibility of any conflict be- 
tween them ; neither will this Committee entertain any such 
possibiUty. And they recommend, therefore, that the views 
which they may embody in this Report, and in an Ordinance 
which they submit herewith, if adopted by the General So- 

5 



34 

ciety, be transmitted to the several State Societies for their 
approval ; and that the same be not considered as binding 
upon either the General Society, or any of the State Socie- 
ties, until approved, ratified, and adopted by the State Socie- 
ties yet remaining extant. The necessity and importance of 
this course, is apparent from the fact that some of the State 
Societies are incorporated, and thus have an existence inde- 
pendent of the original Institution. The Committee hope 
and believe that none of the provisions which are embodied 
in the Ordinance reported herewith, will be found to be at all 
inconsistent with tlie chartered powers and objects of such of 
the Societies as have obtained acts of incorporation ; and that 
they will tend to a harmonious practical conformity to the 
principles of the Institution as they have been understood and 
handed down to us. 

" The best answer to be given to the inquiry proposed to 
the Committee, is not by any innovation, but by the just in- 
terpretation of those principles that prevailed during the life- 
time of the founders. They laid down certain great pi-inci- 
ples, which we hold sacred and inviolable ; our feelings, our 
judgment, and our duty concur in inhibiting the suggesuon of 
change in them. 

"The Society of the Cincinnati was not limited to tiic lives 
of its' founders, or to those of their immediate families. It 
was estabHshed as a Society of Friends, to endure as long as 
any of their eldest male posterity, and on failure thereof, the 
collateral branches who might be judged worthy of becoming 
its members. 

" Ahhough these terms did not, by their own force, provide 
any distinct and positive limhation, relating as they did more 
precisely to the duration of the Society, they certainly con- 
templated the principle of hereditary succession, in the line- 
age of the first founder ; providing against an extinction of 
the Society on the failure of the eldest male branch of ^lis pos- 



35 

terity, by embracing under the description of ' collaterals,' 
all his other male descendants, not confined to any specific 
line, (male or female,) of derivation. 

" The original design or idea, seems to have been of an In- 
stitution bearing resemblance to a Military Order, based upon 
the hereditary principle, observing primarily, but not exclu- 
sively, the right of piimogeniture. 

" To relieve it from the objection to which this distinction 
was obnoxious, at the first General Meeting which was held 
after its estabhshment, in the city of Philadelphia, in 1784, 
the Institution was proposed to be remodelled by omitting, 
among other things, any provision, in terms, upon the subject 
in question ; leaving it to the prudence of after times to deter- 
mine the best method of its continuance, in order to carry out 
its true principles, resting as it did upon the two great pillars 
of Friendship and Charity — upon their most permanent foun- 
dation. 

" These were the sentiments of Washington, announced 
and enjoined in an earnest circular communication subscrib- 
ed by him, and addressed to the different State Sociedes. 

" History has given her tesdmony that this recommendarion 
was complied with, notwithstanding the ' issent of one or two 
of the State Societies. But the fact, though stated by Mar- 
shall, and repeated by Guizot, was not quhe so. The 
principle of hereditary succession was too vital to the Insti- 
tution to be surrendered to temporary prejudice, or passing 
excitement; and experience has shown how unnecessary 
would have been die sacrifice, and how much it would have 
exceeded the occasion. 

" The assent of the requisite number of the State Societies 
not having been obtained, the Institution remained unaltered, 
and it was accordingly declared, at the meeting of the Gene- 
ral Society in 1800, diat the Institution continued to rest on 
its original foundation. 



36 

" It is to be observed, that the proposed aheration of 1784, 
did not absolutely abolish the principle of hereditary succes- 
sion. It was merely silent on the subject. The strong 
opinion of the General Society could not fail to have its 
weight; and, notwithstanding the repugnance felt to the re- 
linquishment of this principle, the State Societies most averse 
to it, manifested no reluctance to consent to its reasonable 
modifications, so as to remove any just ground of exceptions 
against the Institution on that score, and to propitiate the con- 
fidence of the country in its favor, by renouncing the privi- 
lege of primogeniture — so far as that was understood to be 
provided by it — without intending any further deviation from 
the principles of hereditary succession. 

" On this ground the General and State Societies may be 
understood to meet. As the dissenting State Societies were 
not unwilling to adopt the recommendation of the General 
Society, as it was understood, (with this modificadon,) as a 
construction of the original Institution ; so, on the other hand, 
it might be well inferred, that the General Society would con- 
sent to preserve the hereditary principle of succession, in- 
sisted upon, with this qualificadon ; and thus the Institution 
might be considered as standing upon its proper original 
ground. 

" At a meet'ng of the State Society of New York, the pro- 
ceedings of the General MeeUngof 1784, were referred to a 
Committee, which reported adversely to the alteradons re- 
commended to be made in the original Constitudon of the 
Society. 

" In the Report presented by Col. Hamilton in relation to 
this point, it is staled that the 'provision intended to be 
made, appears to be made in terms not sufficiently explicit; 
and a? fai' as it may intend an hereditary succession by right 
of jirinwgeni/vre ts liable to t/iis objection, that it refers to 



37 

birth what ought to belong to merit 07ily ; a principle incon- 
sistent with the genius of the Society, founded on Friendship 
and Patriotism.' 

" The State Society of Massachusetts, which first accorded, 
and then revoked its consent to the proposition, as early as 
1787, proposed to supply the places of deceased members 
by election among the eldest male heirs, generally. 

" That of New Hampshire, the same year, proposed the 
liberal manner of choosing among the descendants of a de- 
ceased member, by nomination of such of his sons, as would 
be most likely to fill the j)lace of- the ancestor with credit. 

" Passing over other Societies, of whose doings the Com- 
mittee are not so well informed, the State Society of South Ca- 
rolina went farther, and proposed that all sons of an original 
member, and all his descendants, whether through the male 
or female line, who should be considered worthy, should be 
capable of becoming members. It was at first the usage in that 
Society, to admit the eldest male descendant to become a full 
member, and allow any of his brothers to be ballotted for, 
and become honorary members. That distinction was after- 
wards done away, and all descendants in the same degree 
were placed upon a par. 

" At a meeting of the Massachusetts Society, convoked upon 
the death of Washington, in January, 1800, it was re- 
commended that, instead of the hereditary succession pro- 
vided by the original Institution, vacancies should be sup- 
plied by the election of members by ballot — in which the eld- 
est male heir of a deceased officer should be the first candi- 
date — and a majority of three-fourths be requisite to admis- 
sion. In case of failure, the next eldest male heir to become 
the next candidate, and so on until a choice should be ef- 
fected. 

" The Committee may here advert to the original distinc- 
tion marked between the ' eldest male posterity,' and the ' col- 



38 

lateral branches' ; that is, in terms, between the eldest and col- 
lateral male branches. It is obvious, as used in this connec- 
tion, that the word ' collateral' meant collateral to ' eldest 
male ;" in other words, the term denoted the younger branches 
of tlie male posterity ; and it did not intend to embrace, ex- 
cept, perhaps, remotely, brothers or nephews of original 
members. 

" But by the usage in several Societies, adapting the term 
' collateral ' in its more broad and comprehensive significa- 
tion — not confined to the qualified use of it in its immediate 
natural connexion — it has been extended to embrace the 
whole stock of descent derived from the ancestor of the ori- 
ginal member. This construcdon has prevailed from an early 
period (the Committee are informed) in the State Societies of 
Massachusetts, New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania. 
The admission of nephews has been extended in Massachu- 
setts, and New-York, to one claiming through a sister of an 
original member. To diis interpretation we are indebted for 
some of our most valued and distinguished members. 

" The only State Society in which it is understood that this 
more extensive construction in favor of more distant collate- 
rals has not been adopted, is that of South Carolina. 

" The Constitution of that Society admits all lineal descen- 
dants of an original member alike, whether through sons or 
daughters, without distinction, as already mentioned, and lets 
in the younger branches equally with the eldest. This Soci- 
ety recognized no other kind of collaterals than those origin- 
ally intended. Rejecting the sense in which tlie term was 
originally employed, as done in South Carolina, places all 
the descendants of the progenitor upon the same footing. 

" It is sufficiently evident that the State Sociedes — though 
some have adhered to the original hmitadon — have felt them- 
selves at liberty to exercise some latitude in respect to the ad- 
mission of members, so long as they did not depart from the 



39 

course of hereditary succession. It has been shown that the 
Society of South Carolina, which first admitted the claim 
through the female hne, has not only discarded all distinction 
between brothers, but has allowed the admission of several 
brothers at the same time. It is also understood that the Ma- 
ryland Society allows the admission of different genera- 
tions, as father and son — (and perhaps grandson) — together. 
The Committee are not acquainted with any other usage of 
Uiis extent. 

" In this connection the Committee would refer to the action 
of die General Meeting, held in Philadelphia, in May, 1829 ; 
when, " a question having arisen, whether, in case of the 
death of a member having no male issue except a grandson, 
the issue of a daughter, such grandson shall be preferred to 
male collaterals; the Society conceived the true construction 
of the Constitution to be, that the grandson shall be preferred, 
he being in the dhect line of descent." 

" Doing away with the apparent distinction drawn between 
eldest and collateral in the Hneal descent, and opening the suc- 
cession equally to all in the direct line of descent of the first foun- 
der, allows room for choice on the ground of merit, and leaves 
the question solely, ivlio shall Jill the place with must advantage? 
Proper distinction is still to be maintained between those in di- 
rect line and other more remote collaterals — in favor of the for- 
mer, so long as any of the former are found worthy. And 
there will be no danger that the preference given to the eldest 
will not prevail, as long as those proper feeUngs of mankind 
which point to the eldest son as the natural successor of the 
father in the seat of honor, while there is no other more wor- 
thy to enjoy it, shall continue. That a due regard will always 
be paid to the predilections of the founders of the Institution, 
we may safely trust to the sentiments of filial piety and reve- 
rence in their descendants. The prescriptive preference of 
the eldest son has been rehgiously observed by most of the 



40 

State Societies. That the fundamental principle has been 
faithfully preserved, and that the Institution stands on its he- 
reditary ground, the best attestation is, that while the original 
members are almost gone, their places are chiefly filled by 
their eldest lineal descendants. 

"It cannot be denied that whatever liberty has been allowed 
derives a sanction from the character which several of the 
State Societies have acquired by acts of incorporation, giving 
them the right of establishing their own rules of admission 
and succession ; and that this step was taken by the recom- 
mendation of the General Society, with a particular view to 
those points. By these acts those Societies are placed, in 
that respect, on a common footing with other eleemosynary 
corporations. These acts, which incorporate the original 
members and their associates, and contemplate a perpetual 
succession, also recojrnize the historical origin of the Institu- 
tion, and the character of the founders, as officers of the 
American Army at the close of the Revolution ; and provide 
for the disposition of its funds according to the will and in- 
tention of the original donors. 

" It is in vain, in the present diversity of practice, to exact a 
uniform rule, or extract from the variety more than a general 
principle ; or to insist upon any ground but one that shall em- 
body the spirit, and embrace the objects of the original Insti- 
tution in its comprehensive scope, limiting the succession to 
the blood of the Revolution. 

" The Committee is, therefore, brought to the conclusion, 
that the Institution remains on the original foundation of 1783, 
subject, however, to some modification of the strict technical 
construction of the terms therein used with regard to the he- 
reditary succession, congenial to the spirit of our civil institu- 
tions, and in accordance with the sense of the General So- 
ciety, and of the State Societies, as expressed in reference to 
the proposed amendment of 1784 ; that the right of succes- 



41 

sion is not absolute even in the eldest son, but is subject to 
the right of tlie Society to judge, whether he be ' worthy 
of becoming its supporter and member.' That this right of 
the Society to judge of the merit of die apj^licant, applies 
equally to the eldest son, and to the 'collateral branches,' 
descending from the original members ; and thus, that the 
right of succession by title of primogeniture, is wholly sub- 
ordinate to the claim of worth and merit on the part of the 
applicant. 

" The Committee believe this to have been the final in- 
tention of the framers of the Institution, and also to be a fair 
construction of the language of that Instrument. At all events, 
the silent acdon and the usage of the Society, in all its 
branches, for considerably more than half a century, has 
given a construction to this principle which cannot well now 
be questioned. 

" In the Ordinance submitted herewith, expression is dis- 
tinctly given to this construction. 

" It remains for the Committee to consider that branch o' 
the subject referred to them, which is suggested by the letter 
of the President-General read at the last meeting, and to en- 
deavor to propose a practical remedy in conformity with the 
views above expressed. 

" The diminished number of the members upon the Rolls 
of the remaining State Societies, and the fact that seven out 
of the original thirteen State Societies, have long since ceased 
to exist, furnish a too painful justification of the apprehen- 
sion suggested by the communication referred to the Com- 
mittee. But this must not be. This Society was founded by 
our patriotic and gallant fathers. When the tempest raged 
and the storm of war, in all its violence and all its fury, beat 
upon the land, they were the brave and successful defenders 
of their country. They established this Institution — their ex- 
alted hberality devised and furnished an elevating and digni- 

6 



42 

fied charity, more than twice-blessed — they impressed upon 
it their own motto and injunction, ' esto perjiettia,^ and they 
have bequeatlied it to us — a trust, sacred and honorable. We 
cherish an honest pride in its intesjrity ; and as we exult in 
the memories of our fathers, and in their vutues, we must 
not disappoint their hopes. The Society of the Cincinnati 
must be preserved. But the difficulty presents itself, how 
shall our numbers be enlarged ? 

" The Committee believe that they express the feeling of 
every member of the Society, when they declare their entire 
unwillingness to extend the right of membership in any suc- 
cession, whether lineal or collateral, beyond the descendants 
or other representatives of the officers of the American Army 
during the War of the Revolution. 

" From them, it is hoped and believed, that tlie Society 
may be recruited to its original strength and vigor. 

" The Committee has neither been willing, nor felt itself at 
Uberty to suggest any rule which should conflict with the 
great principles which were laid down in the establishment of 
the Institution. These they regard as sacred, inviolable. 

" The sources whence increased numbers are hoped for 
under the plan recommended by the Committee, and em- 
braced in the Ordinance reported herewith, are two-fold. 
1. The descendants of officers of the American Army of the 
Revolution, who did not themselves become members of the 
Society. 2. The admission of all the adult male descend- 
ants of the original members of the Society, instead of con- 
fining the representation to a single descendant. 

" It was ordained by the founders of the Society that all 
the officers of the American Army who had resigned with 
honor after three years' service in the capacity of officers, or 
who had been deranged by the resolutions of Congress, upon 
the several reforms of the ai'my, or who continued to the end 
of the war, had a right to become parties to the Institution ; 
provided the right should be asserted, and certain terms com- 



43 

plied with within a specified time. The Committee take it 
for ijranted, that the first resohition submitted to their conside- 
ration, has direct reference to that proviso, and the Hmitation 
therein contained. 

" There were doubtless good reasons, at the time, for the 
enactment of this limitation. But when we consider the com- 
position of that army, the privations which it liad endured, 
the want of means of its members, the uncertainty of their 
pay, the depreciation of the currency in which that pay 
was received, and tlie strong and pressing calls for aid and 
support of the families of those who had devoted all to the 
cause they had espoused, we find abundant reasons why many 
did not avail of the privilege to become parties to the Insti- 
tution, without attributing to any a want of interest in the In- 
stitution, or the objects which it contemplated. 

" The abrogation of this limitation, does not conflict with 
any principle embraced in the organization of the Society, 
and is as entu-ely within the competence of the Cincinnati of the 
present day, as its enactment was within that of their prede- 
cessors in 1783. The question is one of expediency, with 
many claims of justice, and more of friendship and of sym- 
l^athy, answering in the afiirmative. 

" The Committee would here refer to the practice of at 
least one of the State Societies. The New York Society, in 
many instances, and for many years, continued to admit as 
members, officers othenvise entitled, but who had not availed 
themselves of the privilege within the limited time. They 
judged of the sufficiency of the reason for not having joined 
within the prescribed time ; but considered themselves at lib- 
erty to remit the prohibition arising from the non-claim of the 
party within the limit of time. 

" The Committee report a canon, virtually renewing the 
disability created by the original limitation, leaving the subject 
within the discretion of that State Society to which applica- 
tion shall be made by the descendants of any of the officers, 



44 

contemplated in tlie original articles, but who failed to avail 
themselves of the privilege within the time thereby limited. 

"The original Institution does not restrict the representa- 
tion of the officer of the army who became a member of the 
Society, to a single descendant of such officer. The Society 
is ' to endure as long as they shall endure, or a?iy of their 
eldest male posterity, &c. — who may be judged worthy 
of becoming its supporters and members.' This language, 
it may be argued, admits of more than one of such posterity 
being admitted ; and it has been shown, that the practice in 
at least one State Society, has been to admit several represen- 
tatives of the original stock, at the same time ; and this prac- 
tice is entirely in accordance with the spirit of that design of 
the founders of the Institution, which sought to 'perpetuate 
as well the remembrance of a vast event, as the friendships 
formed under the pressure of common danger,' and ' particu- 
larly to extend acts of beneficence towards those officers and 
their Jamil ies, who unfortunately may be under the necessity 
of receiving it.' 

" It will be observed, that the Ordinance reported herewith, 
proposes to recognize, in terms, the right of any State Society 
to admit all the adult male descendants of any officer of the 
American Army of the Revolution, who was, or who was en- 
titled to have become a member of the Society, but not the 
absolute riglit of such descendants to claim admission without 
regard to the judgment of the Society. 

" With these observations, die Committee submit the re- 
sult of their deliberations, in the form of an Ordinance, for the 
consideration of the General Society. 

"Should this Ordinance, in whole or in part, meet the ap- 
probation of the General Society, or be susceptible of amend- 
ment, so as to secure such approbation, it will, in the opinion 
of die Committee, be necessary that it be transmitted in the 
form eventually approved, to the several State Societies for 



45 

their approval and ratification, and if approved and adopted 
by tliem, the Committee recommend that it be considered and 
declared a rule for future action in the admission of members 
to the Society of the Cincinnati. 

" All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Charles S. Daveis, 
J. W. Scott, 
New York, May 7, 1851. Hamilton Fish. 



The Ordinance reported by the Committee vyas adopted by 
the General Meeting in the form following, and its adoption 
recommended to the State Societies : 

AN ORDINANCE 

relative to the succession and admission of 

MEMBERS. 

Be it ordained by the Society of the Cincinnati, 

I. That lineal succession to membership shall be accord- 
ing to the rules of inheritance at the common law, except only 
as in these canons it is otherwise provided: and provided 
that none but males shall at any time be admitted to mem- 
bership. 

II. In lineal succession the officer of the Army of the Re- 
volution who is or was a member, or who had a right to be- 
come a member, shall in all cases be deemed and taken as 
the propositus from whom succession shall be derived. 

III. No person under the age of twenty-one years shall be 
admitted a member; but the right of membership in lineal 
succession having been established, the use of diat right shall 
remain in abeyance unril the applicant shall attain the full age 
of twenty-one years. 



46 

IV. Hereafter all male descendants of officers of the Re- 
volutionary Army may be admitted to membership by any of 
the State Societies ; but such admission shall be upon terms, 
that is to say : each and every of the male descendants of the 
said officers so to be admitted, except such as shall or may 
be entitled in lineal succession from his father, or other pro- 
genitor, shall pay into the Treasury of the State Society into 
which he shall be admitted, the sum of sixty dollars. 

V. The General Society of the Cincinnati shall have power 
and authority to admit honorary members at their discretion. 

VI. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of each of the 
State Societies to transmit, annually, betvi^een the fourth day 
of July and the first day of October, to the Secretary-General, 
a certified list of all the officers and members of the State So- 
ciety to whici) he shall belong, 

VII. Each and every of the State Societies shall pay into 
the Treasury of the General Society the sum of ten dollars, 
for the account of the admission of every member who shall 
be admitted under or by virtue of the fourth canon, before 
mentioned. 

VIII. In case of an application for admission as a member, 
by right of descent in the lineal succession, as recognised in 
the first of these canons, the State Society to which such ap- 
plication be presented, shall be of opinion that from any cause 
the applicant is unworthy to be admitted, they may decline to 
admit such applicant, and hold the right of succession in 
abeyance. 



At the same meeUng, the General Society adopted the fol- 
lowing ordinance, regulating the mode of voting at its meet- 



47 

"Be it ordained by the General Society of the Cincinnati, 
that all elections of the officers of this Society shall be by bal- 
lot, and that in such elections each representation present from 
a State Society shall be entitled to cast five votes ; and each 
of the officers of the General Society who shall be present, 
shall be entitled to cast one vote ; and the majority of all the 
votes thus cast shall be necessary to an election. 

" And be it further ordained, that in the decision of all re- 
solutions and questions submitted to the action of the General 
Society, the vote shall (upon the request of any delegate from 
a State Society, or of any officer present) be taken in the fol- 
lowing manner, viz.: each representation present from a State 
Society shall be entitled to cast five votes ; and each of the 
officers of the General Society, who shall be present, shall be 
entided to cast one vote ; and a majority of all the votes thus 
cast, shall be necessary for an affirmative decision. And upon 
any question thus brought to a vote, the yeas and nays shall 
be entered on the minutes, at the desire of any three members 
present, whether delegates or officers." 



48 






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INCIDENTS 

IN THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE 

llm-f^ork Itate |oi1rti) of \^t Cinrinnuti. 



The first meeting of the members of the New- York Society 
was " of the officers of the two New-York regiments of in- 
fantry, who aie members of the Society of the Cincinnati," 
and was lield at the cantonment, near New Windsor, (on the 
banks of the Hudson River,) in June, 1783, when it was re- 
solved, that "as the officers of the New-York line are on die 
point of separating, and will not have an opportunity of meeting 
for the election of officers of the State Society of Cincin- 
nati, Lieut. Col, Walker be directed to collect the ballots of 
the members present, and to request the officers of the Artil- 
lery to send him then- ballots as soon as possible ; and that 
when the whole are collected, he do call ni the assistance of any 
two officers who may be present, to count the said ballots, 
and declare the election." In pursuance of this resolution, 
on 5th of July, 1783, Lieut. Col. B. Walker, Capt. J. Smith 
and Capt. Caleb Brewster certified the election of the first 
officers of the State Society. 

1784, February 3. — A Committee was appointed to pre- 
pare a set of By-laws : this Committee reported on the 9th of 
February, and on that day the By-laws were adopted. Many 
of these By-laws have since been repealed, and the whole have 
become practically annulled, by the long usage of the Society. 
One of them divided the Society into two districts, Northern 
and Southern, to hold their meetings at Albany and NewYork, 



51 

respectively. This division does not appear to have been long 
recognised. In February, 1791, a written report, presented 
to the Society, refers to this By-Law as a dead letter. 

1784, July 6.— The General Meeting held in May, 1784, 
having proposed alterations to the Institution, their Circular 
Letter to the State Societies, with the proposed amendments, 
was presented to tlie New-York Society on 6th July, 1784 ; 
but the Society declined at that time to take action upon the 
subject. It was subsequently referred to a Committee, from 
which, on 6th July, 1786, Col. Hamilton presented the fol- 
lowing report, which was agreed to by the Society : 

" The Committee to whom were referred the proceedings 
of the Society of the Cincinnati, at their last General Meeting, 
beg leave to report: that they have attentively considered the 
alterations proposed at that meeting to be made in the origi- 
nal Constitution of the Society; and though they highly ap- 
prove the motives which dictated those alterations, they are of 
opinion it would be inexpedient to adopt them, and this chief- 
ly on the two following accounts : 

" 1st. Because the Institution, as proposed to be altered, 
would contain in itself no certain provision for the continu- 
ance of the Society beyond the heirs of the present members ; 
this point (being left to the regulation of charters which may 
never be obtained, and which, in the opinion of this Commit- 
tee, so far as affects this object,) ought never to be granted, 
since the dangers apprehended from the Institution could then 
only cease to be imaginary, when it sliould secure the sanc- 
tion of a legal establislnnent. The utmost the vSociety ought 
to wish or ask from the several legislatures, is to enable it to 
appoint trustees to hold its property, for the charitable pur- 
poses to which it is destined. 

" 2d. Because, by a fundamental article, it obliges the So- 
ciety of each State to lend its funds to tlie State, a provision 
which would be improper for two reasons : one, that in case the 



52 

Society might be able to dispose of its funds to much greater 
advantage — the other, that the State might not always choose 
to borrow from the Society. 

" That while the Committee entertain this opinion with res- 
pect to the proposed alterations, they are at the same time 
equally of opinion, that some alterations in the original con- 
stitution will be proper, as well in deference to die sense of 
many of our fellow citizens, as in conformity to the true spirit 
of the InsUtution itself. 

" The alterations diey have in view respect, principally, the 
duration or succession of the Society, and the distinction be- 
tween Honorary and Regular Members. As to the first, the 
provision intended to be made appears to diem to be express- 
ed in terms not sufficiently explicit, and as far as it may in- 
tend an hereditary succession, by right of primogeniture, is 
liable to this objection — that it refers to birth what ought to 
belong to merit only, a principle inconsistent with the genius 
of a Society founded on friendship and patriotism. As to die 
second, the distinction holds up an odious difference between 
men who have served their country in one way and those who 
have served it in another — a difference ill-founded in itself, and 
improper in a Society where the character of Patriot ought to 
be an equal title to all its members. 

" The Committee, however, decline proposing any specific 
substitute for the parts of the original Constitution which ap- 
pear to them exceptionable, as they are of opinion, any alte- 
radons necessary to be made, can only be digested in a Gene- 
ral Meedng of the Society, specially authorised to agree upon 
and finally establish those alteradons. With a view to this, 
they beg leave to recommend that a Circular- Letter be writ- 
ten from the Society to the different State Societies, suggest- 
ing the expediency of instrucUng and empowering their dele- 
gates at the next General Meeting, to concur in such altera- 
tions as may appear to diat meeting proper, after a full com- 



53 

munication of what shall be found to be the sense of the 
several societies. 

Rd. Morris, 

Alexander Hamilton, 

D. Brooks, 

e. dunscomb, 

Rob. Troup." 



On the 27th of March, 1787, the Society authorised the 
delegates from this Society to the General Meeting, " on the 
part of this Society, to agree upon and finally establish all 
such alterations in the original Constitution, as shall appear to 
a majority of the General Society expedient and proper ; and 
that they endeavor to carry into effect the sense of this So- 
ciety, as expressed in the report of the Committee of the 6th 
July, 1786, approved by the Society." 

On the 5th of July, 1787, Col. Hamilton, one of the 
delegates to die General Meeting, reported that he had at- 
tended the General Meeting — that the delegations of some 
of the State Societies had not powers similar to those given 
by this Society, and therefore it was not practicable to pro- 
ceed in the alterations to the Constitution agreeably to his 
instructions — that an additional motive for suspending the 
consideration of those alterations, was, lest any change should 
be an obstacle to the acceptance of the office of President- 
General by the late Commander-in-Chief, which appeared to 
the meeting to be a matter of great importance to the Institution. 
For these reasons, principally, the discussion of die proposed 
alterations was deferred. 

On the 20tli of March, 1788, the delegates to the General 
Meeting were directed, " in any alterations which may be 
proposed in the present Constitution, to govern themselves 
by the report of the Committee on the proceedings of the 
General Society, convened at Philadelphia in 1784, as con- 



54 

firmed by the Society on the 6th of July, 17S6." On the 
8th of July, 1790, the proceedings of the then late General 
Meeting were read and referred to a Committee, but no re- 
port appears from the Committee, and no further definite ac- 
tion appears to have been had by the Society upon the pro- 
posed alterations. 

At the meeting on the 4th of July, ] 799, a letter dated 23d 
of May, 1799, from the South Carolina Society, was read, 
containing the following extracts from their proceedings, to 
which, the delegates from this Society to the (ieneral Meet- 
ing, were " requested to pay due attention." 

Extract frnrn the Jovrvah of the Society of the Cincin- 
nati of the State of South Carolina. 
"March 4, 1799. — The Committee who were appointed 
at the last meeting to digest the report of the Committee for 
perpetuating the Society, as agreed the 25th ult., reported the 
same, which was read, adopted, and is as follows : 

REPORT, 

" That it be recommended as a line of conduct tor this 
Society in future to observe, should the General Societ}- not 
think proper to adopt a system for perpetuating the same. 

"1. That all die sons of original members, and all the 
male descendants of any original members, whether such de- 
scent be derived through a male or female branch, or ol' such 
officers, as having served with reputation, died during the last 
war, or having been entitled to become members, died uitliin 
six months after the army was disbanded, who may be judged 
worthy of becoming its members and supporters, may be 
elected into diis Society on application, after attaining the age 
of twenty-one years, provided three-fourths of a legal quar- 
terlv meeting are in his favor. That each member so elected 
shall pay into the hands of the treasurer, for the use of the 
fund, the sum of thirty dollars. 



55 

" 2. That all the officers, commissioned, staff, or brevet, 
who have served in the Army or Navy of the United States' 
since the peace with Great Britain, for six years, and who 
still continue therein, or who, after having served as aforesaid 
for six years, left the service with reputation, or who shall 
have been deranged by any act or resolution of the Congress 
of the United States, after having served with reputation for 
three years, and all those who are or shall hereafter be ap- 
pointed to a command in the Army or Navy of the United 
States, commissioned, brevet or staff, and who shall have 
served therein with reputation, for six years, or who shall be 
deranged by any act or resolution of Congress, after a ser- 
vice with reputation for three years, may be admitted into this 
Society, upon application, by election, provided three-fourths, 
of a legal quarterly meeting are in his favor, and upon pay- 
ment of one month's pay into the treasury of this Society, 
according to the respective ranks of the applicants for ad- 
mission. 

"3. No election shall be valid without the name of the 
candidate shall be openly proposed, at a regular quarterly 
meeting previous to the quarterly meeting, at which the bal- 
lot shall be held." 



In July, 1786, the Society resolved that, in its opinion, no 
State Society had a right to elect foreigners as members. In 
March, 1787, the delegates to the General Meeting were in- 
structed to vote for a resolution for the reception of the offi- 
cers of the Navy into the Society ; and in July, 1788, tlie 
sense of the Society was expressed that " officers of die Ma- 
rine, of similar rank, are entitled to be members of the So- 
ciety," and Commodore Nicholson was requested to attend 
with the Society as a member; and in July, 1790, Captain 



56 

Hardy, of the Marines, and Captain Hacker, of the Navy, 
were admitted as members, by a unanimous vote, upon a full 
report from a Committee to whom their claims had been re- 
ferred. 

1786, June 21. — A very formal and imposing "plan of 
ceremonials" was adopted for the delivery of Diplomas to 
the members, in accordance with which the Diplomas were 
delivered, and new members were installed on the ensuing 4th 
of July. This ceremony was to be observed upon the re- 
ception of elected members for the future. Thirty years after, 
it appears to have been thus observed, but has latterly passed 
into disuse. In June, 1787, it was ordered that the members 
of the Society appear ' with the Union Cockade and a sword> 
at least on every 4th of July.' 

1790, February 1. — A petition having appeared in the 
public papers as being proposed to be signed by officers of 
the late Army of the U. S., and to be presented to the Na- 
tional Legislature, praying, that in the system for funding the 
National Debt, a discrimination may be made in favor of the 
original holders of the pubhc securides, the Society unani- 
mously disclaimed the principles contained in the petition, 
conceiving it inconsistent with their character ' to seek any 
advantage to themselves which might be incompatible with the 
principles of an honorable policy.' 

It was determined, March of this year, to celebrate, in the 
future, the Anniversary of the Birth of Washington: for 
many years this celebration was obser\fed. 

In July of this year an original nieinber of the Society was 
expelled, and his name ordered to be erased from the IJegis- 
ter. The record states that he had, "by his ungentlemanlike 
conduct, become a disgrace to die Society." This is referred 
to, being the only instance which appears upon the minutes 
of the exercise by the Society of so severe an act of discipline. 



57 

It is also to be stated, that after the death of the expelled 
member, the Society for several years contributed liberally to 
the relief of his widow and children. In 1825 application 
was made for admission to the Society, in right of the ex- 
pelled member: answer was given by the Society that 

had been a member, but was not so at the time of his death. 

1793, July 4. — It was resolved, that every member from 
other State Socieries, now residing, or who may hereafter reside 
within this State, before he be admitted to vote, or take part 
in the debates of this Society, shall produce his Diploma, or 
a certificate, signed by the President or Secretary of the So- 
ciety of the State from which he removed, of his having been 
regularly admitted, and continuing to be a member thereof 
to the time of his removal into this State. 

1798, July 4. — The Society, by unanimous vote, directed 
an address to be made to the President of the United States, 
as follows : 

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The respectful Address of the Oficers of the late American 
Army and Navy, assembled in the Society of the Cincinnati 
of the State of New-York. 

Convened to celebrate the Anniversary of our National In- 
dependence, our attention is naturally drawn to the interest- 
ing circumstances which characterise the present situation of 
our country. Threatened, as it is, by a very powerful foreign 
nation, we cannot but view that situation as critical, and in a 
time of imminent public danger, our late profession of soldiers 
seems to render the expression of our sentiments peculiarly 
proper. Whatever difference of opinion may at any time have 
existed among us, as among other classes of citizens, con- 
cerning particular measures, we conceive that no difference of 
opinion can, or ought to exist as to any of these cardinal 

8 



58 

points : that our essential rights, as a free and independent 
nation, are at every hazard to be maintained — that the Con- 
stitution of our country, as established by the choice of the 
people, is in every event to be defended against all foreign 
conti'ol or influence — that invasion from abroad, from what- 
ever quarter, is to be repelled by united and vigorous exer- 
tions — that our Government ought never to subscribe to na- 
tional degradation — that however desirable peace certainly is, 
the evils of war can bear no comparison with sacrifice, or 
abandonment of those great principles. Makmg this declara- 
tion of our principles, the same with those which led us to as- 
sist in fighting th^ Batdes of our Revolution, we cheerfully 
dedicate the remnant of our lives to the maintenance of them ; 
and we pledge ourselves to stand ready to seal our sincerity 
with our blood. 

By unanimous order, 

NiCHs. Fish, Presuient. 
Attest, 

B. SWARTWOUT, Jr. 

1799, December 21. — A Special Meeting was convened 
in consequence of the intelligence of the death of General 
Washington ; it was resolved, that the members of this So- 
ciety will wear full mourning as for a father, for six mondis, 
during which time they will also wear the badge of die Society 
covered with black crape. A committee was appointed to 
act in conjunction with committees from the Corporation of 
of the City of New York, and other bodies, to agree upon 
the best manner of paying suitable honors to die memory of 
the illustrious deceased. 

Subsequently, Congress having recommended that the 22d 
of Februaiy be set apart for the purpose of testifying the 
public grief on this event, the Society requested the Rev. 
Dr. Linn to deliver a discourse adapted to the mournful occa- 



59 

sion. The solemnities were observed in the new Dutch 
Church, in Nassau street, and were opened with a solemn 
dirge on the organ, followed by a prayer by the Rev. Dr. 
RoDGERs; an anthem sung (accompanied by the organ,) ta- 
ken from the 7 chap. Job — " Is there not an appointed time 
to man upon earth ?" Funeral eulogy by the Rev. Dr. Linn. 
Voluntar)' upon the organ, as the conclusion. 

In January, 1801, it was proposed to erect a Monument 
within the city of New-York to the memory of Washington. 
It was subsequently decided, that the monument should be 
an Equestrian Statue of Bronze, with suitable inscriptions and 
ornaments. For this purpose a large amount of money was 
collected, and still more subscribed, but not sufficient to defray 
the estimated cost ; consequently the money which had been 
collected was some years aftewards returned to the contri- 
butors, with the accumulation of interest thereon. 

1802, July 5. — The Standing Committee was constituted 
the Committee to which all applications to be received as 
Members of the Cincinnati should be presented, and was di- 
rected to report to the Society for their final action, whenever 
occasion should require. Prior to this, under a resolution of 
March, 1789, there had been a separate 'Committee on 
Claims,' which considered all such applications. On 4th of 
July, 1804, on motion of Gen. Hamilton, the Committee 
were directed, in case of a favorable report upon claims for 
" admission as a member of right, except where there may 
iiave been a previous admission in another State Society," to 
report specifically the ground upon which they conceive the 
original right of the applicant to stand, and the reason which 
may have prevented an earlier apphcation, if any delay has 
been. 

1804, July 13. — The death of General Hamilton was 
announced, and a special meeting of the Society was called. 
The Society was requested by a Committee of the Common 



60 

Council of the city of New York, to take order for the fiine- 
ral procession, and appointed a Committee for the purpose. 
At their request, the Hon. Gouverneur Morris dehvered a 
funeral eulogium at the tomb of the deceased. The Society 
adopted resolutions expressive of the "deepest affliction at 
an event which has deprived them of their most illustrious 
member, their country of its most enhojitened and useful 
statesman, and the world of one of those extraordinary men 
which ages have seldom produced." Letters were addressed 
to the Vice-President-General, and to the other State Socie- 
ties, " announcing the sad event, and the deep and universal 
sorrow it has occasioned in this Society, and amongst their 
fellow citizens of every description." At the request of the 
Society, the Rev. Dr. Mason delivered an oration " in honor 
of the talents, the virtues, and the eminent services" of tliis 
great man. 

The Society erected a Marble Tablet in Trinity Church, in 
the city of New York, with the following Inscription : 

THIS TABLET 

does not profess to perpetuate 

the Memory of a Man 

to whom the age has produced 

no superior 

nor to emblazon worth 

eminently conspicuous in every feature 

of his countrys greatness 

nor to anticipate posterit)' in their 

judgment of the loss which she has 

sustained by his premature death 

BUT TO ATTEST 

in the simplicity of grief 

the veneration and anguish which fiU 

the hearts of the members of the 



61 

New York State Society of 

CINCINNATI 

on every recollection 

of their illustrious Brother 

Major General 

ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

Obiit 1804 jEtatis 47. 

This Tablet is at present in the Robing-room of Trinity 
Church, New-York. 

1804, August 2. — A letter was read from Edward Roach, 
late Secretary of the Delaware State Society, stating that 
that Society had been dissolved long since, and the funds 
been divided among the members. 

1805, July 4. — A Committee appointed at a former meet- 
ing to make application to the Legislature for an act of incor- 
poration, was discharged, and a new Committee requested 
" to pursue this desirable object without fail." The applica- 
tion was presented to the Legislature, but without success. 
The same fate attended a renewed applicadon to the next 
Legislature. The Society determined, however, to persist 
in the effort, and resolutions to this effect, were successively 
adopted in 1808, 1809, 1810, 1812, 1813, 1818, 1819, and 
1825. The apphcations were, however, in each case, unsuc- 
cessful, and the Society remains at die present day unin- 
corporated. 

1805, December 4. — An application having been made to 
the Standing Committee, by the widow of a deceased mem- 
ber, for pecuniary aid, after full consideration, it was resolved, 
that " she has no claims on the Society merely as the widow 
of a deceased member; that the funds are exclusively re- 
served for the relief of indigent members, their widows or 
children, upon proof being exhibited of their situation and 
necessities." 



62 

1806, July 4. — A form of a certificate was adopted to be 
endorsed upon the original diploma, in cases where an heredi- 
tary member was admitted by right of representation. 

1806, Nov. 5. — It was represented that the Connecticut 
Society had been dissolved, and their funds deposited in the 
hands of a ti'ustee, subject to the order of the individual mem- 
bers, according to their respective deposites. 

1813, July 5. — An application for admission as a member, 
was presented in behalf of a younger brother, the elder 
brother having renounced in his favor. The Society dis- 
missed the application as " not within the purview of the 
Constitution, or the rules of the Society." In August, 1818, 
the Standing Committee " unanimously" adopted a different 
conclusion upon the same point, and recommended the ad- 
mission of the younger representative, in whose favor the 
elder had renounced ; and in July, 1819, the Society adopted 
their recommendation, and admitted the younger represen- 
tative. 

In 1816, an application was presented for admission by 
the son of an officer in the Revolutionary Army, who had 
died about the year 1792, without having united with the So- 
ciety. It was decided that the father having declined beco- 
ming a member of the Society during his life time, and no 
sufficient reasons being offered for his having so declined, his 
rights ought to be considered as having expired with him. 

In 1823, an application was presented for admission as a 
member, by a nephew of a deceased original member, who 
had died without issue, leaving one sister of the full blood, 
and six brothers and sisters of the half blood. The appli- 
cant was the eldest son of the sister of the full blood. The 
Standing Committee unanimously report in favor of his ad- 
mission. 

In 1837, application being made for admission by Count 
Gabrowski, claiming in right of his father. Count Ga- 
BROwsKi, stated to have served under the Duke de Luzerne, 



63 

the Secretary addressed a letter to the President-General, 
requesting information with respect to the officers of the 
French Army, members of the Society, and received the 
following reply : 

Jersey City, May 22, 1837. 
Chas. Graham, Esq., 

Secretary of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, 
Sir, 

Yours under the post-mark of May 5, 1837, has been duly 
received ; and on examination, I find from the minutes of the 
General Society, that the Society was established by the offi- 
cers of the American Army, who signed the Institution, and 
at the same time a draft on the Paymaster-General for one 
month's pay according to their several grades, who combined 
themselves into one Society of Friends, to endure as long as 
they shall endure, or any of their male posterity. 

There is in the original Institution, a provision, of which, I 
now enclose a copy.* From this provision, it would seem 
that the extension of the order should be confined to the per- 
sons designated therein, for otherwise, there can be no limit : 
and it cannot be presumed that the President-General, without 
authority so to do, transmitted a medal to any not named in 
the provision, or who had not been a General or Colmiel in 
the Army commanded by Count Rochambeau. Besides, 
there is no provision that the right of membership should de- 
scend to the posterity of the persons designated in the enclosed 
provision, and the adoption of such a rule now, might place 
the Society in great future difficulties ; but if otherwise, this 
right can only be proved by the production of the medal, 
which was doubtless sent to every officer in the French Army, 
who was entitled to it, or accounting for its loss. 

* This enclosure was the extract from the original Institution, na- 
ming the Chevalier de Lu/.erne and others, including the Count 
Rochambeau, and other Generals and Colonels of his army, to whom 
the medal was to be aent, and who were considered as members. 



64 

I know of no list of the names of the officers of the French 
Army who were admitted members of the Society, otlier than 
as contained in the enclosed provision, nor of any such pre- 
pared by General Knox; but if such an one was prepared 
at the time, it must have been confined to the Generals and 
Colonels in Count Rochambeau's army. 

I am, Sir, very respectfully. 

Your most obedient servant, 

Aaron Ogden. 

1815, Nov. 15.— Three " Trustees of the funds of the 
Society," were appointed, in whose name all the funds are to 
be invested. In the absence of an act of incorporation, the 
Society's funds have since the above date, continued to be 
thus invested. 

1817, June 11. — An extra meeting of the Society was 
held for the purpose of paying their respects to President 
Monroe, then on an official visit in the city of New York. 
A procession was formed, and the Society in a body waited 
upon the President, when an address was made to him in be- 
half of the Society, by a Committee for that purpose, to 
which the President replied. 

1828, July 4. — Col. Trumbull presented to the Society 
a portrait, painted by himself, of Bryan Rossiter, for many 
years the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Society. This portrait is 
now in the custody of the Secretary. 

1830, Dec. — The Society addressed the following letter 
to Gen. La Fayette. 

New-York, Dec. 4, 1830. 
To General La Fayette — 

The members of the New York State Society of the Cin- 
cinnati, a remnant of your comrades in die war which raised 
the United States to the rank of a free and independent 
nation, address you, General, at this time, with no common 



65 

emotions. We rejoice with the French people, and with the 
friends of the rights of man throughout the civilized world, 
at the victory which the National Guards and their associates, 
recently obtained over despotism. Victory is common to the 
brave ; but the forbearance, humanity, and dignity of conduct 
exercised toward the conquered in the late Revolution, crea- 
ted in us heartfelt joy, mingled with profound respect for the 
actors in that great and happy event; nor do we less appre- 
ciate the wisdom, which, when the right and power of self- 
government were obtained, calmed the tempest, and was con- 
tented to enjoy the good resulting from it. And more espe- 
cially. General, we rejoice that you, our friend and compa- 
triot, have been active in promoting the forbearance and hu- 
manity which so eminently distinguish the late Revolution 
from all others. 

We pray God to have you and your great nation in his 
especial keeping ; to frustrate the machinations of the un- 
principled and interested, who seek to plunge France into a 
sea of anarchy and blood; and that you may remain in 
peace, and in the full enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. 
Such is not only the fervent prayer of your respectful and 
affectionate comrades, but of the whole people of the United 
States. 

Receive, General, the assurance of the distinguished con- 
sideration of the members of the Cincinnati Society. 

By order, and on behalf of the New York State Society of 
the Cincinnati. 

Rich. Varick, Pres. 
Chas. Graham, Sec'y. 



BY-LATVS 



3&tu-'^^0rk Itntf lorirti] of tljf Cinrinnnti. 



I. The ofScers of the Society shall consist of a President, 
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Trea- 
surer, each of whom shall, in virtue of his office, be a mem- 
of the Standing Committee. 

II. The Society shall hold an Annual Meeting in the City 
of New-York, on the fourth of July in each year, unless 
that day fall on Sunday, in which case the Annual Meeting 
shall be held on the following day. Extraordinary meetings 
may be called by tlie President, or in case of his death, ab- 
sence from the State, or inability to act, by the Vice President. 
Public notice of all meetings of the Society shall be given in 
at least two daily newspapers, published in the City of New- 
York, by advertisement, for two days preceding the day of 
meeting. 

III. The President shall preside at all meetings of the So- 
ciety, if he be present ; but if absent, the Vice President shall 
preside ; if both be absent, the meeting may appoint a Chair- 
man, pro. tern. ■ ■ 

IV. The presence of at least fifteen members shall be ne- 
cessary for the transaction of any business which may authorise 
or involve the expenditure of money, or the admission of new 
members, or the election of Honorary Members. Nine shall 
constitute a quorum for all other purposes: but no business 
shall be transacted at an extraordinary meeting wiiich shall 



(>7 

authorise or lead to tlie expenditure of money ; nor shall any 
appropriation of money be made at such meeting. 

V. The officers of the Society shall be elected at the An- 
nual Meeting in each year; at which time there, shall also be 
elected a committee of eight members, who, together with 
the officers of the Society, shall constitute the Standing Com- 
mittee. There shall also be elected, at the same time, three 
delegates, to represent the Society in any meeting of the Gen- 
eral Society, which may be held during the ensuing year. 

VI. The election of the officers of the Society, including 
the members of the Standing Committee and delegates to 
the General Meetings, shall be decided by ballot : and 
the persons having the largest number of votes cast for the 
respective places, shall be elected. The vote upon the 
admission of new members, and the election of Honorary 
Members, shall also, in all cases, be taken by ballot ; and the 
affirmative votes of two-thirds of the members present, and 
voting, shall be necessary for the admission of a new member, 
and of three-fourths of those present, and voting, for the elec- 
tion of an Honorary Member. 

VII. It shall be the duty of the Standing Committee to 
take care of the general concerns of the Society, as well as 
of all matters specially committed to them by the Society. 
They shall annually appoint a sub-committee of three, of their 
own number, to examine the Treasurer's accounts, and to 
make report thereon to the Society, at its Annual Meeting. 
They shall examine and audit all bills and claims against the 
Society, and shall authorise the payment of what they shall 
deem just demands. They shall, from the funds of the So- 
ciety, afford such relief to the members, or the families of de- 
ceased members, who may, in their judgment, be proper 
objects for the beneficence of the Society, in such sums and 
at such times as they shall think proper. They shall grant 
warrants upon the Treasurer for all claims which they shall 
audit and pass, and for all payments which they shall author- 



68 

ise ; but the aggregate of the expenditures autliorised by the 
Committee to be paid, including all sums distributed in aid of 
members or their families, in any one year, shall not exceed 
the annual income for the year arising from die productive 
permanent funds of the Society. 

The Committee shall have power, from time to time, with 
the concurrence of the trustees referred to in the XI. of these 
By-laws, or of a majority of them, or of the survivors or sur- 
vivor of them, from time to time, to call in any of the moneys 
belonging to the Society, and to invest the same, and to change 
the investments of the Society's funds. 

They shall have power to appoint proper persons to fill 
any offices or places which shall become vacant by death, re- 
signation or otherwise, such appointments to continue until the 
place be filled by an election by the Society at an Annual 
Meeting. 

They shall keep a record of their proceedings, which shall 
be subject to the inspection of any member of the Society, 
at reasonable times, and which shall be laid before the Society 
and be read at the Annual Meetings. 

VIII. Five members of the Standing Committee shall be 
a quorum for the transaction of ordinaiy business; but no 
payment of money shall be authorised unless seven members 
be present. 

IX. Every person desirous of becoming a member of the 
Society, may make apphcation, in writing, to the Standing 
Committee, setting forth, distinctly and clearly, his claim to 
be admitted. The Committee shall advise thereon, and may 
require any proof which they may deem proper in support of 
such claims or iany/testimqnid/ witlKrespect/to liiQ character ,X 
ancf standmgt)! the %pprifcaflt,¥ncr they sliall rep«rt thiif opm- 
ion to the Society. 

No person shall be admitted as a member unless he shall 
be twenty-one years of age ; nor unless his claim and appli- 



69 

cation for admission shall have been before the Standing Com- 
mittee prior to the day of the meeting on which he may be 
voted for as a member. 

X. No person shall be admitted a member of the Society, 
and no Honorary Member shall be elected except at an An- 
nual Meeting ; and no person shall be elected an Honorary 
Member without having been openly proposed as such at the 
immediately preceding Annual Meeting, and an entry of the 
fact being made upon the minutes. 

XI. All investments of the funds of the Society shall con- 
tinue to be, as heretofore, in the names of three trustees, and 
of the survivors of them, as joint tenants. Whenever a va- 
cancy shall occur in the office of either of such trustees, the 
place shall be filled by the Society at its next regular meeting ; 
but if at any time there be two vacancies, it shall be the duty 
of the Standing Committee, forthwith, to fill the same, which 
appointment shall be valid until others be appointed in their 
place by the Society ; and immediately upon the appointment 
of any new trustee or trustees, all investments of the Society's 
funds shall be transferred to the joint names of the then ex- 
isting trustees, as joint tenants. 

Xn. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the Society, 
and of the Standing Committee, and shall have the custody 
of the books and papers belonging to the Society. 

Xni. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys belonging 
to the Society, arising from the interest or income of the So- 
ciety's funds, or other sources of revenue. He shall keep 
an account with some bank in the City of New- York, in which 
he shall deposit ail moneys so received by him, on account 
of the Society, in the name and to the credit of " The New- 
York State Society of the Cincinnati," subject to draft upon 
checks signed by the Treasurer of the Society for the time 
being. He shall keep regular accounts, and submit them to 
the inspection of the Standing Committee, whenever required 
by them to do so. He shall present an annual report and 



70 

account of all moneys received and paid out by him during 
the year, and shall submit the same, together with the vouchers 
for his payments to the Auditing Committee, to be appointed 
by the Standing Committee, in time that the same may be ex- 
amined by them, and be presented to the Society at its An- 
nual Meeting. He shall not pay out any money of the Society, 
unless upon die warrant or order of the Standing Committee, 
or upon the order of the Society at their Annual Meeting, 
except the payment of tlie expenses attending the Anniver- 
sary Meeting of the Society, which may be paid by him upon 
the order of the President or Vice President, countersigned 
by the Secretary. 

XIV. Every member, upon his admission, shall be entitled 
to receive a Diploma, or Certificate of Membership, to be 
signed by the President of the State Society, and countersign- 
ed by the Secretary; for which Diploma, he shall pay the 
Treasurer, before signing the roll of the Society, the sum of 
five dollars. The fees thus paid shall be for the use of the 
Society, and be considered as part of the revenue for the cur- 
rent year. 

XV. All officers, delegates, trustees and members of the 
Standing Committee shall continue in their respective au- 
thorities until other appointments are made in then- stead. 

XVI. No rule or by-law shall be altered or repealed, or 
suspended, unless such alteration, repeal or suspension shall 
have been proposed at one Annual Meeting and agreed to at 
the next; and no new rule or by-law shall be made, (except 
upon the written recommendation of the Standing Commit- 
tee,) unless it shall have been proposed at one Annual Meet- 
ing and agreed to at the next. 



N. B. The preceding code of By-laws was adopted May 
28th, 1851, by the Standing Committee, in behalf of die So- 
ciety, by virtue of a resolution of the Society, passed July 

5th, 1847. 



71 






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HONORARY MEMBERS 

WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE NEW YORK STATE 

SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, WITH THE DATES OF 

THEIR ELECTION. 



1813, March 17 tBAINBRIDGE, COMM. WILLIAM. 

1815, Nov. 15 tBLAKELBY, CAPT. .lOHNSTON. 

1817, Nov. 20 tBROWN, MAJ. GEN. .JACOB. 

1849, July 4 BELKNAP, GEN. WILLIAM G. 

1796, July 4 tCONSTABLE, WILLIA.M. 

1799, July 22 ". .... tCHDRCH, JOHN B. 

1784, .luly 6 tDUANE, JAMBS. 

" " " tDUER, WILLIAM. 

1813, Feb. 6 tDECATUR, COMM. STEPHEN- 

1784, July 6 tFLOYD, COL. WILLLA.M. 

" tGANO, DR. S. 

" tHOBART, JUDGE J. SLOSS. 

' tHATHORNE, COL. JOHN. 

1813, Feb. 6 tHULL, CAPT. ISAAC. 

' tJONES, " .lACOB. 

1819, Feb. 24 t.TACKSON, MAJ. GEN. ANDREW. 

1822, July 4 tKING, KUFUS. 

1847, July 5 tKEARNEY, MAJ. GEN. STEPHEN W. 

1784, July C tLIVINGSTON, CHANCELLOR ROBT. R. 

" tLIVINGSTON, HENRY. 

" tLANSIiNG, JOHN. 

1800, F,b. 22 tLINN, REV. WILLIAM, D. D. 

1813, April 14 +LAWRENCE, CAPT. JAMES. 

1827,. luly 4 tLIVINGSTON, EDWARD. 

1784, July 6 tMORRIS, CHIEF JUSTICE RICHARD. 

tM'CLAUGHERY, COL. 

" tMORRIS, GEN. LEWIS. 

• tMOFFATT. MAJOR THOMAS. 

179C, Jan. 5 tMORTON, JACOB. 

1803, July C tMORRIS, GOUVENEUR. 

1804. Dec. 10 tMASON, REV. JOHN M., D. D. 

1813, Nov. 13 tMACDONOUGH, CAPT. THOMAS. 

tDECEASED. 



88 

1784, July 6 .....tPLATT, JUDGE. 

" tPELL, PHILIP, JUN. 

1813, Oct 21 tPERRY, COMM. OLIVER H. 

1847, July 5 PERRY, COMMO. MATTHEW C. 

1784, July 6 tSCOTT, GENERAL. 

1800, July 4 tTRUXTON, CAPT. THOMAS. 

1847, July 4 tTAYLOR, MAJ. GEN. ZACHARY. 

1784, July 6 tVAN CORTLANDT, LT. GOV. PIERRE. 

1791, April 19 +VAN RENSSELAER, STEPHEN. 

1784, July 6 tWILLIAMS, CAPT. D. 

1815, Nov. 15 WARRINGTON, CAPT. LEWIS. 

1847, July 5 tWORTH, MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM J. 

1849, July 4...... WOOL, MA.T. GEN. JOHN E. 

1784, July 6 tYATES, ROBERT. 

t Deceased. 



OFFICERS 

OF THE NEW-YORK STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI.* 



PRESIDENTS. 

ELECTED 

1783 ALEXANDER McnOURALL. 

1786 BARON STEUBEN. 

1794 GEORGE CLINTON. 

1795 WILLIAM S. SMITH. 

1797 NICHOLAS FISH. 

1804 WILLIAM S. SMITH. 

1805 NICHOLAS FISH. 

180C RICHARD VARICK. 

1832 MORGAN LEWIS. 

1844 WILLIAM POPHAM. . 

1848 ANTHONY, LAMli/TV J 



nr>i 



VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

ELECTED 

1783 GRORGB CLINTON. 

1785 BARON STEUBEN. 

1786 PHILIP SCHUYLER. 

1788 ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

1793 JAMES WATSON. 

1794 WILLLVM S. SMITH. 

1795 NICHOLAS FISH. 

1797 AWILA GILES. 

1804 EBENEZER STEVENS. 

1824 MORGAN LEWIS. 

1832 NICHOLAS FISH. 

1833 JOHN TRUMBULL. 

1838 ABRAHAM LEGGETT. 

1842 WILLIAM POPHAM. 

1844 ANTHONY LAMB. 

1848 HORATIO GATES STEVENS. , 

There is no record of the elections of officers in the years 1791 — 1792. 

X8 



MO 

SECRETARIES. 



1783. .BENJAMIN WALKER. 
1784. -JAMES FAIRLIE. 
1785..R(JBERT I'EMBBKTUN. 
1788. .JOHN STAGG, Jun. - 
1790. .WILLIAM S. SMITH. 
1793.. JAMES M. HUGHES. 
1794..ABK'MHAKDENBURGH. 
179.5.. BAKNAKDUS SWART- 

WOUT, Juu, 
1800. .JOHN STAGG, Juu. 

1790, Dec. 8 



1803. .WILLIAM S. SMITH.* 
1804. .WILLIAM POPHAM. 
1805. .JOSEPH HARDY 
1810. .BENJAMIN LEDYARD t 



1813. .HENRY S. DODGE t 
1616. .DANIEL E. DlINSCOMB.| 
1826.. CHARLES GRAHAM. 
1838. -CHARLES A. CLINTON. 
1843..EDW'p P. MARCEl-*m 

The Secretary being absent, the Standing Commit- 






tee chose William Morris to do the duties of Secretary. 



TREASURERS. 



1783. .PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT. 1816. .JONATHAN BURRALL. 



1788. . RICHARD PLATT. 
1793^.ABIJAH HAMMOND. 
1794..THBODOSIUS FOWLER 
1796. .LEONARD BLEECKER. 



1820..THEODOSIUS FOWLEK. 

1812.. ANTHONY LAMB. 

1844. . HAMILTON KISH. /,, ■« 



ASSISTANT TREASURERS. 



1783.. NICHOLAS FISH. 
178.5.- RICHARD PLATT. 
1788.. EDWARD DUNSCOMB. 
1793.. LEONARD BLEECKER. 
1794..BARNARDUS SWART- 

WOIIT, .luii. 
1795. -LEONARD BLEECKER. 



BLKCTBD 

1796- -JOSEPH HARDY. 
1805...rAMES FAIKLIE. 
1807..,IOHN KBESE. 
1809...roNAS ADDOMS. 
1828- -ANTHONY LAMB. - 
1842- -WILLIAM B. CROSBY'. 
1850..THEQpOSIUS FUJiVLE 



VLEE. 



* Appointed by the Standing Committee, Dec. 7, 1803. 
t do do do Nov. 7, 1810. ^ Subsequently 

{ do do do Jim. 6, 1813. \ elected by the 

II do do do Dec. 4, 1816. ^ ^x^'-^exj. 

^ Mr. Dunscomb appears to have been Treasurer some lime during the 
interval between 1790 and 1793. (See Minutes of the Standing Commit- 
tee, Dec. 3, 1793.) 



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OBITUARY NOTICES. 



The following notices are extracts from the General Orders, 
issued upon the decease of members of the New York State 
Society, and embrace all except the formal parts of such 
notices. Since the year 1826, such General Orders have 
been recorded in the book of minutes, although none appear 
prior to that date. This fact will account for the absence of 
any notice of many valued members of the Society, who died 
prior to the year 1826. The extracts are confined to the 
notices of original and hereditary members: 

HENRY S. DODGE, ESQ. 

New York, Sept. 25, 1826. 
The President announces to the Society, the death of Henry S. 
Dodge, Esq., an liereditary member of the Society, and the son of 
Capt. Samuel Dodge, of Col. Dubois's regiment, of the Revolutionary 
Array. 

GENERAL JOHN DOUGHTY. 

New York, October II, 1826. 
The President communicates to the members, the decease of ano- 
ther Revolutionary Patriot, Gen. John Doughty, of Morristown, New 
Jersey. Gen. Doughty served as Captain in the second regiment of 
Artillery, commanded by the late Col. John Liimb, during the Revo- 
lutionary War, and was a brave and much respected ofificer. 

WILLIAM LEAYCR.AFT. 

New York, June 8, 1827. 
Tlie Pi'esident announces to the Society, the death of William 
Leaycraft, a Revolutionary member. He was a Lieutenant in Col. 
John Lamb's regiment of Artillery, during the war of the Revolu- 
tion, and served until the army was disbanded by order of General 
Washington. 



92 

DE WITT CLINTON. 

New York, February 15, 1828. 

The President performs the melancholy duty of announcing to the 
members, that his Excellency. De Witt Clinton, Governor of the 
State, and a member of this State Society, departed this life at Al- 
bany, on the evening of the 6th inst. 

Governor Clinton's public and private life are so generally known, 
his patriotism and love of country so universally admitted, his phi- 
lanthropy and talents so justly admired, that his death is at this time 
to be mourned as a national loss, while his attachment to the members 
of the Society, and his continued exertions to promote the best inter- 
ests of the Institution, made him to be regarded as a personal friend. 

JEDEDIAH WATERMAN, ESQ. 

New York, September 25, 1828. 
The President informs the members, that Jedediah Waterman, 
Esq., an original member of the Society, died this morning, after a 
long and painful illness. Mr. Waterman was an Ensign in the 8th 
Massachusetts regiment of the Continental Army, was a brave and 
intelligent officer, and served until the close of the Revolutionary War. 

CAPT. EBENEZER MACOMBER. 

New York, April 6, 1829. 
The President announces to the members, the death of Capt. 
Ebenezer Macomber, a Revolutionary member of the Society. Capt. 
Macomber commanded a company in Col. OIney's regiment of the 
Rhode Island Lino of the Continental Army, was an officer of great 
gallantry, a strict disciplinarian, and generally respected by the Army. 

COL. RICHARD PLATT. 

New York, March 4, 1830. 
The President announces to the members of the Society, with 
deep regret, the death of their friend and brother. Col Richard Piatt. 
Col. Piatt entered the Revolutionary Army in 1775, and received a 
commission as Lieutenant, in the 1st New York regiment, then com- 
manded by Colonel, afterwards Major General M'Dougal. He ac- 
companied the army, which, in that year, invaded Canada, under the 
command of the late General Schuyler, was at the capture of St. 
John's and Montreal, and acted a gallant part under General Mont- 
gomery, in the memorable attack upon Quebec, on the 31st of De- 
cember, of that year; upon which occasion he acted as Adjutant 



93 

General, and was entrusted with the preparations for storming the 
city. After tlie array retired from Caniida, Col. Piatt was appointed 
Aid-do-cauip to Major General M'Dougal; accompanied the expedi- 
tion of 1781, into Virginia, against Lord Cornwallis, and was present 
at the surrender of the British army at Yorktown, on the 21st Oct., 
of that year; upon which occasion he acted as Deputy Quarter- 
Master General. 

Col. Piatt continued in the army until the close of the Revolu- 
tionary War, and was alil<e distinguished for intrepidity and good 
conduct. 

COL. MARINUS WILLETT. 

New York. August, 23, 1830. 

The President, with deep and sincere regret, anaounces to the 
members oi tlie Society, the death of tlieir venerable and esteemed 
friend and brother. Col. Marinus Willet, who departed this life last 
evening. Col. Willett commenced his military career in the Colonial 
service of the British Government, in the reign of George the 2d, 
was actively engaged in the northern and western frontiers of this 
State in the French war, (of 175C,) and was present at the battle of 
Lake George, where the first Lord Howe was killed. Upon the 
breaking out of the War of the Revolution, Col. Willett joined the 
standard, and entered the service of his country, in which it was his 
good fortune to be highly distinguished and useful. He was a volun- 
teer at the buttle of Monmouih, on the 28th .Tune, 1778, when the 
British forces under General Sir Henry Clinton were defeated ; he 
was eminently distinguished in the siege of Fort Stanwix, and also at 
the battle of Johnstown, (Montgomery county,) on the 25th October, 
1781, in both of which he commanded. 

Col. Willett continued in the Revolutionary Army until the close 
of the War of Independence, commanding at that time the 5th regi- 
ment; lie was remarkable for personal bravery, military enterprize, 
and energy of character. 

In private life. Col. Willett was one of the most amiable of men, 
and after the war, held several civil offices, the last of which was the 
Mayoralty of the city. 

MAJOR JAMES FAIRLIE. 

New Yurk. October 11, 1830. 
The President announces to the members of the Society, with deep 
regret, the death of their friend and companion. Major Jas. Fairlie. 



94 

Major Fairlie entered the Revolutionary Army in the latter part of 
the year 1775, or early in the year 1776 : was first commissioned as a" 
Ensign in the 1st New York regiment, then coniniaiiilc<I Ity Colonel, 
afterwards IMaj. Gen. M'Dougal, and upon the reform of the army, 
was appointed to the same rank in the regiment then commanded by 
Colonel, afterwards Gen. Philip Van Cortlandt; he accompanied his 
regiment to the north, and was present, and distinguished himself at 
at the capture of the British army, commanded by Gen. Burgoyne, 
in the year 1777. In the year 1778, Major Fairlie was appointed 
Aid-de-camp to Maj. General the Bavon Steuben, and acted in that 
capacity at the battle of Monmouth, which took place in the same 
year. Afterwards, Maj. Fairlie went with the army into Virginia, 
where he was taken prisoner ; after his exchange, lie joined the 
army again at Newburgh, in this State, and contiimed in it until the 
close of the Revolutionary War. 

Maj. Fairlie was, during the war, a brave and intelligent officer, 
and after its close, was elected and appointed to different civil offices, 
the duties of which were discharged by him with great zeal and 
ability. 

COL. RICHARD VARICK. 

New York, July 31, 1831. 

The Vice President, with feelings of deep and most sincere regret, 
performs the melancholy duty of announcing to the members of the 
Society, the death of their venerable, beloved, and patriotic Presi- 
dent, Col. Richard Varick. 

Col. Varick has, for more than fifty years, been a distinguished 
man ; liis military, civil, and private life have successively been sub- 
jects of commendation, and the Vice President legrets that the ordi- 
nary limits of an order, only permit him to give a rapid sketch of the 
prominent acts of the well-spent life of their deceased friend and 
companion. 

Immediately after the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, Col. 
Varick, animated by the strongest attachment to his country, ten- 
dered his services to the late Maj. Gen. Schuyler, then commanding 
the Northern Army, and was appointed his Military Secretary. In 
February, 177G, he was appointed by Congress, Deputy Commis- 
sary General ot Musters for the Northern Army, with the rank of 
Lieut. Colonel, and joined the army in that capacity in the spring of 
the same year, and continued attached thereto after the command of 
that army was conferred upon the late Maj. General Gates : he was 



95 

present at the memorable battles of Stillwater and Saratoga, {15th of 
September and 7th of October, 1777), and with others reaped the re- 
ward of those actions in the surrender of the British army, com- 
manded by General Burgoyne, to General Gates, on the 16th day of 
October, in the same year. After Burgoyne's surrender. Colonel 
Varick was stationed at West Point, and performed the duty of In- 
spector General of the troops of that post and its vicinity until after 
the treason of General Arnold, to whose family he was for some time 
attached as Aid-de-camp. After the desertion of General Arnold, 
Colonel Varick was attached to the military family of the Father of 
our Country, (General Washington,) in which capacity he was by 
him appointed his Recording Secretary until near the close of the 
Revolutionary War, and possessed his esteem and confidence in an 
eminent degree. 

After the evacuation of this city by the British troops, on the 25th 
of November, 1783, and the restoration of the Civil Government of 
the State, Colonel Varick was appointed Recorder of the City, and 
subsequently Mayor; and held the latter office for many years. 

Colonel Varick was elected President of the New York State So- 
ciety of the Cincinnati on the 4th of July, 1806, and has held the 
office ever since, having been re-elected annually ; his courtesy and 
kindness to the members, his liberality to such of the descendants 
of deceased members as needed it, and his attachment to this Insti- 
tution can never be forgotten. 

WILLIAM TORREY. 

Neio York, October 12, 1831. 

The Vice President, with sincere regret, announces to the mem- 
bers of the Society, that William Torrey, an aged and respectable 
member of this Society, has departed this life. He died on the 8th 
inst., of a lingering and painful illness. 

Mr. Torrey was, during the Revolutionary War, a Lieutenant in 
Colonel Hazen's regiment, and in all his conduct evinced great bra- 
very and attention to his duties ; and although, from his situation, he 
had not the honor of any particular distinction, yet he had the merit 
(and great it was in those times) of having devoted himself to his 
country's cause, and by his services promoted the great event of our 
emancipation from a foreign dominion, and of the establishment of a 
free and independent government in these United States. 



96 

GEN. PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT. 

New York, November 9, 1831. 

The Vice President, in the discharge of his official duty, an- 
nounces to the members of the Society, that their venerable and 
respected friend and companion, Gen. Philip Van Cortlandt, departed 
this hfe at his residence in West Chester county, on Saturday, the 
5th inst., in the eighty-second year of his age. Afflicting as this dis- 
pensation of Providence must be to the members of the Society, 
with whom tlie deceased was so long associated, it is to be remem- 
bered that lie died full of years, and possessed to the last, the esteem 
and confidence of his fellow citizens. 

Gen. Van Cortlandt was at the time of his death the oldest sur- 
viving officer of his rank in the New York line of tlie Continental 
Army. He was a Major of the Colonial Militia previous to the Re- 
volution; and in the year 177.5, he was commissioned to the same 
rank in the Revolutionary Army ; was appointed Lieut. Colonel in 
February, 1770, and Colonel of the 2d New York Regiment in the 
month of November of tlie same year, and at the close of the war he 
was commissioned as a Brigadier General. He was in the battle of 
Monmouth Court-house, New-.Iersey, and in the actions of Still- 
water and Bemis' Heights in September and October, 1777, and had 
the honor to be present at the surrender of the British armies, com- 
manded by Gen. Burgoyne, and Lord Cornwallis. 

Gen. Van Cortlandt's regiment was, upon several occasions, com- 
plimented for its discipline and appearance, in the orders of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief. 

In the year 1793, Gen. Van Cortlandt was elected a member of 
Congress, and continued a member of that body until about the year 
1809, when he declined public employment, and retired to his farm, 
near Croton, upon the North River. 

COL. HENRY BEEKMAN LIVINGSTON. 

Neil' York, November 10, 1831. 
The Vice President yesterday announced to the members of the 
Society, the death of Gen. Philip Van Cortlandt, a member. It is 
now his melancholy duty to inform them of the decease of another 
distinguished patriot of the Revolution, Col. Henry Beekman Living- 
ston, also a member of the .Society. He died at his seat, near Rhine- 
beck, in Duchess county, on Sunday morning last, in the eighty-first 
year of his age. 



97 

Col. Livingston wag actively engaged in that momentous struggle 
which emancipated the United States from a foreign dominion. He 
was with Gen. Montgoraei-y in the brave but unfortunate attack upon 
Quebec, was wounded in the battle of the Brandywine while leading 
his troops to the assault, and distinguished himself in the campaign in 
Rhode Island. He commanded the 4th New York Regiment, and 
throughout the war evinced himself a brave man and able com- 
mander. 

COL. ROBERT TROUP. 

New York, January 14, 1832. 
The Acting President, with deep regret, announces to the mem- 
bers of the Society, that their venerable and respected friend, Col. 
Robert Troup, died this morning at his residence in this city, in the 
seventy -fiflh year of his age. This dispensation of Providence cannot 
be otherwise than deeply afflicting to the members of the Society, 
becauso to the public loss occasioned by the death of such an indivi- 
dual, they add the loss of an esteemed companion, who, while health 
permitted, devoted his time and talents to the promotion of the best 
interests of the country, and of the institution of wliich he was a 
member. 

At the commencement of the American Revolution, Col. Troup 
was engaged in tlie study of the law, in the office of Jolin Jay, after- 
wards Chief Justice of the United States, and Governor of this State. 
He quitted his studies, and solicited and obtained the appointment of 
Lieutenant, and with that rank joined the Continental Army, then 
stationed upon Long Island, under the command of General Sulli- 
van, early in the year 1776. He was shortly afterwards appointed 
Aid-de-carap to Brigadier Gen. Woodhull, and was with the latter at 
the encampment near Brooklyn, when the Americans were attacked 
and defeated, on the 27th of August, by the ]5ritish forces, under the 
command of Generals Sir Henry Clinton, Percy and Cornwallis. In 
that action, several Generals and Colonel Troup were made priso- 
ners. Colonel Troup was confined for some time in the Jersey 
prison-ship at the Wallabout, and subsequently transferred to the 
Provost (Prison) in this city, where he remained until the spring of 
1777, when he was exchanged and joined the array in New Jersey. 
General Gates having been in the same spring appointed by Congress 
to the command of the Northern Army, selected and appointed Col. 
Troup one of his Aids-de-camp, and joined that army in that capa- 
city at Saratoga, in August of the same year; was present at the 

13 



98 

action at Stillwater, and at the surrender of the British army, com- 
manded by Gen. Burgoyne, on the 17th of October. 

In February, 1778, Col. Troup was appointed by Congress, Secre- 
tary of the Board of War, appointed to sit at ihe seat of governiDent, 
of which Gen. Gates was President, and continued to act as such 
Secretary until the Board was dissolved in the following year ; after 
which Col. Troup went to New Jersey, and completed his law stu- 
dies with the late Judge Patterson, of the Supreme Court. 

Some yeai-3 after the peace. Col. Troup was appointed Judge of 
the District Court of the United States for the District of New- York, 
held that ofilico for several years, and then retired to private life. 

WILLIAM WALTON MORRIS, Esq. 

New York, Aj/ril 6, 1832. 

The Acting President, with sincere regret, announces to the 
members of the Society, the death of their venerable friend and 
companion in arms, William Walton Morris, Esq. He died yester- 
day, after a severe and lingering illness, in the seventy-fourth year of 
his age, 

Mr. Morris joined the Continental Army as soon as his age and 
studies permitted; was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 'id 
Regiment of Artillery, and served with that rank until the close of 
the war. 

DR. THOMAS TILLOTSON. 

Neiv York, May li, 1832. 

The acting President, with deep regi-et, announces to the mem- 
bers of the Society, the death of another of their venerable compa- 
triots and friends, Dr. Thomas Tillotson. Ho died at his seat near 
Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, on Sunday last, in the 81st year of his 
age. 

Dr. Tillotson was an able and zealous advocate of the American v-, 
Revolution ; highly gifted by nature and improved by education, he *" 
devoted his talents and himself to the promotion of our National In- V. 
dependence. He was appointed by Congress, Physician and Sur- 
geon General of the Northern Hospital Department of the army, and 
served in that capacity until the close of the Revolutionary War. 
After the peace of 1783, Doct. Tillotson was several times elected to 
the Legislature, and was in the year 1801, and again in 1807, ap- 
pointed Secretary of this State. Always of a delicate constitution, 
he was, in 1808, compelled to decline public employment, and passed 



99 

ilio remainder of his life in the bosom of his family. He enjoyed 
(to him and to us) the heartfelt satisfaction, of living to see the United 
States prosperous and happy beyond his most sanguine expectations. 

GENERAL JOHN H. WENDELL. 

Neto York, July 12, 1832. 

The President, with deep regret, announces to the members of 
the .Society, the decease of their respected friend and companion in 
arms, C4en. John H.Wendell. He died at the city of Albany, on 
Monday last, in the 88th year of his age. 

At the commencement of the Revolutionary contest. Gen. Wen- 
dell abandoned the practice of the law, in which lie was then en- 
gaged, and was appointed a Captain in the 1st New York regiment, 
coniniaiuled by the late Cnl. Van Schaick. He distinguished hiinself 
at the celebrated battle of Monmouth, in the State of New Jersey ; 
and served in the Northern Army, commanded by the late Maj. Gen. 
Gates, until and after the surrender of Burgoyue's army. 

After the peace, Gen. Wendell accepted a command in the militia, 
and continued attached to it until he was promoted to the rank of 
General. 

ABU AH HAMiMOND, Esq. 

New York, December 31, 1832. 

The President, with deep regret, announces to the members of the 
Society, the death of Abijah Hammond, Esq., another of their Revo- 
lutionary companions. He died yesterday, at his residence, at Throg's 
Neck, Westchester county, in the 75th year of his age. 

Mr. Hammond joined the Continental Army in the year 1776, as 
a member of CapL Frothingham's company of artillery, attached to 
Col. Crane's regiment, and was, in the next year, commissioned as a 
Lieutenant in the 3d regiment of artillery, of the Continental Army. 
^ In the early part of the campaign of 1777, Mr. Hammond went 
. with his company to the North, and was in Fort Stanwix, (after- 
wards Fort Scliuyler,) during the time it was besieged by Gen'l St. 
Ledger. He subsequently went with his regiment to Virginia. He 
was afterwards, and in the same year, attached to the Adjutant Gene- 
ral's Department, under Col. Scammel, and continued in that depart- 
ment until the close of the Revolutionary War. 

Mr. Hammond was a brave and intelligent officer, and his services 
in the Adjt. Genl's Department, were highly esteemed by the army. 



100 

DR. JOHN R. B. RODGERS. 

New York, January 29, 1833. 

The President, with sincere regret, announces to the members of 
the Society, that another of their Revolutionary companions. Dr. 
John R. B. Rodgera, died this morning, at his residence in this city, 
in the 75th year of his age. 

Dr. Rodgers entered the army at the commencement of our Revo- 
hition, and was appointed Surgeon of the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, in 
the line of the Continental Army, and continued attached to the army 
until the close of the Revolutionary War, occasionally doing duty as 
a Garrison Surgeon, and for a time, in the General Hospital. He 
was highly esteemed in the army for his talents and humanity, and 
since the peace, has been an active and useful member of society. 

COL. NICHOLAS FISH. 

New York, June 20, 1833. 

The President, with unfeigned sorrow, communicates to the mem- 
bers of the Society, the death of their distinguished brother officer. 
Col. Nicholas Fish. He died in this city, this morning, aged 75 
years. 

The limits of a general order, permit only a rapid sketch of the 
life and military achievements of the deceased. At the commence- 
ment of the Revolution, Col. Fish was Aid-de-camp to Brig. Gen'l 
John Morin Scott, and he and his corps went into service as " six 
months' men." On the 21st Nov., 1776, he was appointed by Con- 
gress, Major of the 2d New York regiment of the Continental Army, 
(commanded by Colonel, afterwards General Philip Van Cortlandt) 
and served with that rank during the Revolutionary War ; and was, 
at its close, by a resolution of Congress, commissioned as Lieut. Colo- 
nel. He was in the battles of 19th Sept., and 7th Oct. 1777, at Bemis' 
Heights, in this State, which preceded the surrender of General 
Burgoyne's army, on the 17th Oct., of the same year. Early in 
1778, he was appointed by General Washington, a Division Inspec- 
tor of the army, under General, the Baron Steuben, who was then 
Inspector General of the Continental Army : and on the 28th June, 
1778, Col. Fish commanded a corps of Light Infantry, in the cele- 
brated battle of Monmouth, New Jersey. In 1779, his regiment and 
himself, were in Sullivan's expedition against the Six Nations of In- 
dians, in which, after enduring every privation, they succeeded in 
destroying the Indian power. In 1780, he was attached to a corps of 
Light Infantry, under the command of Gen. Lafayette. In 1781, he 



101 

went with his regiment into Virginia, and took a very active part in 
the Ijattles which eventuated in the surrender of the British army, 
commanded by Lord Cornwallis, on the 19th day of October, in that 
year. He was Major of the corps of infantry, commanded by Colo- 
nel, afterwards General Hamilton, which so gallantly stormed one of 
the redoubts at Yorktown. 

In 1782, Col. Fish was with the main army under General Wash- 
ington, at Verplanck's Point, in this .State, and continued there, at 
West Point, and at the Cantonment at Newburgh, until the close of 
the Revolutionary War. Col. Fish's character in the army, was that 
of an excellent disciplinarian, and very gallant soldier ; and he pos- 
sessed in a high degree the confidence of Washington, La Fayette, 
and Hainillon. 

After the peace. Col. Fish was, for a number of years. Adjutant 
General of this State ; and such was the activity of his mind, and his 
habits of business, that he continued alinost until the close of his 
useful life, to hold civil employment. 

JONATHAN BURRALL, Esq. 

New York, November 22, 1834. 

The President, with deep regret, announces to the members of the 
Society, the death of Jonathan Burrall, Esq.. an original member. He 
died at Goshen, Orange county, in the 82d year of his age. 

Mr. Burrall entered the army of the Revolution at an early period 
of tlie war, and at its close, was Deputy Paymaster General of the 
Northern Department of the ariny. 

After the war, Mr. Burrall removed to the city of New York, and 
was first Cashier, and afterwards President of the Bank of America. 
He finally retired to Goshen, where he ended his days in peace. 

COL. SIMEON DE WITT. 

New York, December 10, 1834. 

The President, with deep and sincere regret, announces to the 
members of the Society, that he has just received the melancholy 
intelligence of the death of their highly respected friend and asso- 
ciate Col. Simeon De Witt, wlio died at Ithaca, Tompkins county, on 
tlie 3d inst., in the 79th year of liis age, and who was, at the time of 
his death. Surveyor General of this State. 

Col. De Witt has been a patriot from liis earliest years. While a 
student at Queen's College, he joined a volunteer company com- 
posed of students, which was broken up, by the capture of New 



102 

Brunswick by the British army. lie then removed into this State, 
nnd was present and serving as a volunteer, from Ulster county, in 
the line of the Continental Army, at the capture of fieneral Bur- 
goyne, on the 17th Oct., 1777 ; and was shortly afterwaids appointed 
Assistant Geographer to the army. In the year 1778, Col. De Witt 
was appointed (ieographer-General to the army, in the place of Col. 
Erskine (whor esigned preparatory to his return to Kurope :) held the 
hitter commission until the close of the war of the Revolution, and 
was always distinguished for zeal and efficiency. 

After the peace of 1783, Col. De Witt was appointed Surveyor 
General of this State, and held that office at the time of his death ; 
having served his country in war and in peace for upw.irda of half a 
century, and by the courtesy and kindness of his manner, and the 
strict integrity of his conduct, acquired, in an eminent degree, the 
respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. 

JOHN V. B. VARICK, Esq. 

New York, May 19, 1835. 
The President, with regret, announces to the Society, that John V. 
B. Varick, Esq., one of its members, died yesterday at his residence, 
in Jersey City, opposite to this city, after a long illness. 

Tlie deceased was admitted in the Society as a member in the right 
of, and shortly after the death of his uncle, the venerable Col. Richard 
Varick, formerly President of the Society. 

JOHN M'DOUGAL LAWRENCE, Esq. 

New York. June 4, 1835. 

The President of the Society announces to the members, that he 
has received the melancholy intelligence of tlie death of another metu- 
ber of the .Society, John M'Dougal Lawrence, Esq. He died on the 
22d May last, at French Creek, in Jefferson County. 

Mr. Lawrence was the son of John Lawrence, Esq., for some time 
Judge Advocate of the Northern Army, was admitted into the Society 
in the right and in the place of Major Gen. Alex. M'Dougal, one of 
the deceased Presidents of the Society, his grandfather. 

MAJOR PETER TAULMAN & GEN. WM. NORTH. 

New York, Jan. G, 1836. 
The president announces to the members of the Society, witli feel- 
ings of deep regret, the recent death of two of their distinguished com- 
panions in the glorious war of the Revolution, Major Peter Taulman 



103 

and Gen. VVm. North. The first died at hia residence, in Rockland 
Count)-, on the 16th day of Deember last, in the 70th year of his age, 
and Gon. North in this city, on the 3d day of January inst. at the ad- 
vanced age of 83 years. 

Major Taulman entered the service of his country in the year 1776, 
as a Sergeant, in Col. Lamb's Reg. of Artillery, and was soon distin- 
guished for his zeal and military qualifications, and when the corps of 
Sappers and Miners was formed, he was first appointed by Congress 
Lieut., and subsequently Capt. Lieut, of that corps, and held that rank 
in the year 1783, when the Continental Army was disbanded by Gen. 
Washington, by order of Congress. 

Major Taulman was engaged in the battles of Monmouth and Spring- 
field, in the State of New Jersey, in the first of which he was wound- 
ed; and was, in 1781, employed in the siege of Yorktown, in the State 
of Virginia, which resulted in the surrender of the British army, 
under Lord Cornwallis, to the combined American and French army, 
commanded by Generals Washington and Rochambeau. 

Major Taulman was an olificer of great bravery, and distinguished 
for its usual concomitant, great modesty; and after his country no 
longer required his services, retired to private life, in which he ended 
his days respected and beloved by all who knew him. 

General Nortli has filled a distinguished page in the history of his 
country, not only in the war of our Independence, but in our subse- 
quent annals. He was a gentleman by birth, education and early as- 
sociation : and when he took uf^arms in defence of his country, became 
the gallant and aspiring officer. He was, in 1777, appointed a Capt. 
in Col. Jackson's Regiment of Infantry, and was in the battle of Mon- 
mouth, in the State of New Jersey. He was afterwards (1778) ap- 
pointed Aid-de-camp to Major Gen. Baron Steuben, soon became his 
favorite : aided and assisted the Baron in introducing his system of dis- 
cipline into the Continental Army, to which, under Divine Providence, 
much of the success of that army may be justly attributed. 

(ieneral, then Major North, was with the army in Virginia, and 
was, with Baron Steuben, present at the surrender of the British 
army, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, in Oct., 1781. 

After the War of the Revolution was ended, and the Independence 
af the U. S. acknowledged. Gen. North retired to private life; but af- 
terwards, induced to accept public employment in support of the in- 
stitutions which his valor had contributed to found, was several times 
elected to the Legislature of this State, was Speaker of the Assembly, 
and for a short period one of the Senators of this State in the Congress 



104 

of the U. S. During our troubles witli France, in the Presidency 
the elder Adams, Major North was appointed Adj. Gen. of the Army, 
which was raised on that occasion, with the rank of Brigadier 
General. 

It is painful to the President thus to be called upon to announce to 
the Society, the death of his and their early friends and companions ; 
a few only of those yet remain, who periled life and fortune, to achieve 
that Independence, which is now, so justly, the pride and bnast of 
every American ; and every death in the Society is, to that few, 
the death of a friend and a brother soldier ; and is to be mourned ac- 
cordingly. 

COL. LEBBEUS LOOMIS. 

New York, January 21, 1336. 
The President of the Society is again called upon to announce to 
the Society the death of another of their distinguished Revolutionary 
companions. Col. Lebbeus Loomis departed this life at Cherry 
Valley, in Otsego county, in this State, on the lOtli inst., in the 
eightietli year of his age. 

Col. Loomis was a volunteer at the battle of Bunker Hill, near 
Boston, on the 17th of .Tune, 1776, being then about 17 years of p^'". 
He subsequently entered the Continental Army as an Ensign in Col. 
Swift's regiment, in the Connecticut line of the array ; was in the 
battle of the Brandywine in September, 1777, and in the battle of 
Germantown, in the month of October, in the same year ; after 
which he was appointed Adjutant of Col. Swift's regiment, with the 
rank of Lieutenant, and was with that rank in the battle of Monmouth, 
on the 28th of June, 1778. 

Adjt. Loomis was a gallant and biave officer, and universally re- 
spected in the army, (then commanded by Gen. Washington), in 
which he was serving, and continued in service until the close of the 
Revolutionary War. 

After the war, Adjt. Loomis settled in the city of New York, and 
soon took an active part in the active organization of the Uniform 
Militia, which became the successors of the Continental Army, and 
were embodied in order to preserve the institutions which liad been 
formed by the War of the Revolution. He was 1st Major, and after- 
wards Colonel, of one of the city regiments of artillery. He retired 
from military command about the year 1799, possessing the highest 
esteem of his associates in arms and the respect of the public. About 
eight years since he removed to CheiTy Valley, where he ended 
bis daye. 



105 

COL. AARON BURR. 

New York, September 15, 1836. 
The President announces to the members the death of Col. Aaron 
Burr, an original member of the Society, a distinguished officer in the 
Array. of the Revolution, and Vice President of the United States 
during the first presidential term of the venerable Thomas Jefferson. 
He died at Richmond House, on Staten Island, on the 13th inst., in 
the eighty -first year of his age. 

Col. Burr has filled so large a space in the history of his country, 
and has been so connected with its military and political annals, that 
it is not possible, in the ordinai-y limits of a general order, to do more 
than glance at the principal events of his eventful life, and to leave 
to the historian and biographer to complete the details and transmit 
them to posterity. 

Col. Burr was born in the year 17.56; entered the Army'of the 
Revolution in the early part of the year 1775 as a volunteei', and was 
stationed for a short time at Winters' Hill, and at Cambridge, in the 
vicinity of Boston, and formed one of that illustrious band who were 
the first to resist the oppressions of England, and to assert by force of 
arras the right of the theu Araerican Colonies to be represented in the 
British Parliament, or to be exempted from taxes imposed by their 
authority. He, in the course of the same year, joined General 
(then Colonel) Arnold as a volunteer, and marched with his detach- 
ment from Newburyport, through the wilderness, to Quebec, to the 
assistance of Gen. Montgomery, and in the assault on that fortress, on 
the 31st of December, 1775, acted as an aid of that gallant officer, 
and was at his side when he fell mortally wounded. After the repulse 
of the Americans, Col. Burr remained with that army until it joined 
the main army at Morristown, New Jersey. He was afterwards ap- 
pointed Aid-de-camp to Gen. Putnam, and was with that officer in 
the battle at Gowanus, Long Island, and in the subsequent retreat 
from Long Island and New York. 

In the year 1777, Colonel Burr was appointed Lieut. Colonel of 
Colonel Malcom's regiment, one of the sixteen regiments raised by 
authority of Congress for the prosecution of the war, and command- 
ed that regiment for about two years, Colonel Malcolm never having 
joined it. At the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, 28th of June, 
1778, Colonel Burr commanded the above regiment, which formed 
a part of Lord Sterling's division, and greatly distinguished liimself 
for his science, mtrepidity and vigilance. 

14 



106 

Colonel Burr afterwards had a partizan command in Westchester 
county, in this State, and was eminently successful in cherking the 
depredations committed by the British horse, commanded by Colo- 
nels Delancy and Van Buskirk. 

At the close of the year 1779, Colonel Burr retired from the army 
on account of ill health, commenced the study of the law in New 
Jersey, under the late Judge Paterson, and finally settled in New 
Yoik. In 1790, he was appointed Attorney General of the Slate, 
and in 1792 elected one of the Senators from this State in the Con- 
gress of the United States. Colonel Burr was several times elected 
to the State Legislature ; was in 1801 President of the Convention 
which revised the Constitution of this State, and in the same year 
elected Vice President of the United States. 

Colonel Burr was, in his military life, always distinguishel by his 
science, bravery, and enterprise, and in his civil and professional life 
for talents of the highest order. 

JONAS ADDOMS. 

New York, July 17, 1837. 

The President, with sincere regret, announces to the members of 
the Society, the death of Jonas Addoras, an original member. He 
died yesterday (.Sunday) morning, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. 

Mr. Addoms was born in New Jersey, but resided in this city, and 
was a private in a uniform company, when the British ship of war 
Asia fired upon the city, and destroyed that part of it lyihg west of 
Broadway. He afterwards removed to Hopewell, New Jersey, and 
was one of five who volunteered their services for the defence of this 
city ; was attached to the corps of five months' men, and was sta- 
tioned with his corps on Long Island, at the Narrows, when the Bri- 
tish fleet, under Lord Howe, arrived, and landed the British army 
at New Utrecht. He afterwards joined a company of New Jersey 
militia; was Acting Quartermaster of a regiment of New Jersey 
militia, which was marched to the assistance of Gen. Washington, in 
expectation of the battle at Germantown, and after having marched 
all night, arrived in front of the British entrenchments early in the 
morning, when the British were attacked and beaten back some dis- 
tance, until reinforced ; when the regiment was compelled in turn to 
retire. 

Mr. Addoms was shortly afterwards appointed an Assistant to Col. 
Timothy Pickering, theu Quartermaster-General of the Army, and 
was with the army at White Plains, in Westchester county, in this 



107 

State, while the British and American armies were contesting the 
possession of that county. 

Mr. Adtioms was first commissioned as an officer in the hne of the 
Continental Army by Gen. George Clinton, in August, 1781, and 
was afterwards commissioned by Congress as 2d Lieutenant in the 
2d Regiment of Artillery, commanded by Col. John Lamb. This 
commission is dated 29th January, 1762, with rank from the 20th of 
August. 1781. Lieut. Addoms continued with this regiment unti 
the close of the war; having marched into this city with the main 
army on the 26th of November, 1783, when the British evacuated it; 
and was stationed for sume time in the old fort, at the foot of Broad- 
way, now the present Battery. He was a brave man, a vigilant officer 
and much esteemed by the army. 

After the peace of 1783, Mr. Addoms first settled in Philadelphia, 
afterwards removed to Boston, and after three years' residence in 
the latter place, returned to New-Yorli, where he was appointed by 
Col. Lamb, then Collector of this Port, first as Weigher, and after- 
wards Public Storekeeper ; remained attached to the Custom-house, 
under different Collectors, and amid all the changes of political par- 
ties, for thiily-throe years and seven months. About three years 
since, Mr. Addoms retired from public service, and passed the even- 
ing of his days in the quiet of his own family. 

CAPT. NATHANIEL NORTON. 

New York, October 9, 1837. 

The President of the .Society, with deep regret, announces to its 
members, that Capt. Nathaniel Norton, one of their respected com- 
panions in the War of the kevolution, and the most aged member of 
the New York State Society, departed this life on Saturday last, in 
the ninety-fifth year of his age. 

Capt. Norton entered the service of his country as a private in the 
Provincial corps, in the (French) War of 1756; was a Corporal in the 
forces commanded by Gen. Bradslreet, in the year 1760, and was sta- 
tioned for some time at Oswego, in this State. 

Early in the year 1775, upon the breaking out of the Revolution 
Capt. Norton was appointed and commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 
4th New York (Continental) Regiment, commanded by Col. Henry 
B. Livingston, and continued attached to that regiment until the 
latter part of the year 1761, when the then five New York regiments 
were, by a resolution of Congress, consolidated into two regiments ; 
and although Lieut. Norton was not appointed to a command in the 



108 

consolidated regiments, yet such was the estimate of his services and 
usefulness, that his pay and appointments were continued until the 
close of the Revolutionary War, and he became entitled, under the 
resolution of Congress, to the rank of Captain. 

In the same year 1781, he was appointed by Governor (then 
General) George Clinton, a Commissioner to procure loans of money 
from the inhabitants of Long Island, in aid of the Revolutionary War; 
and the better to conceal this object of his appointment and fulfil its 
duties, was appointed Captain of a small government vessel, called 
the Suffolk, then cruizing in the Sound, between Connecticut and 
Long Island. 

Capt. Norton did duty with the ' corps de reserve ' at the battle of 
Monmouth, New Jersey, on tlie 28th of June, 1778, and was en- 
gaged with the artillery on that occasion. He afterwards accompa- 
nied Gen. Sullivan in the expedition against the Six Nations of 
Indians, then occupying the Western part of this State, and was pre- 
vented by sickness from taking part with his regiment in the action of 
Bemis' Heights and Stillwater, which led to the capture or surren- 
der of the British army, commanded by Gen. Burgoyne. 

After the close of the War of Independence, Captain Norton re- 
tired to a farm on Long Island, and continued there until about 1790, 
when he became an Elder, and afterwards a Pastor of the Baptist 
Church. He was settled for some time in Connecticut, and subse- 
quently at Herkimer, in this State, and continued in the ministry of 
the church until about the year 1805, when his age and infirmities 
rendered it ex])edient to withdraw from the pastoral office. He 
passed his remaining years principally in this city, respected by all 
wha knew him. 

COL. CHARLES GRAHAM. 

New York, February 13, 1838. 

The President announces to the Society, with extreme regret, the 
death of their much esteemed Secretary, Col. Charles Graham, which 
took place last night at 10 o'clock. 

Col. Graham entered the Society by virtue of the right of his 
uncle, Charles Graham, who had been a Captain in the Army of the 
Revolution, and had distinguished himself in many hard fought 
battles. Col. Graham's father, John Graham, also served in the 
Revolutionary Army, as nn Aid-de-camp to Gov. Clinton, and also as 
a volunteer aid to Gen. Washington at the battle of White Plains. In 
consequence of his residence in the country, he released to his son 
his claims to succeed his brother as a member of the Society. 



109 

Col. Graham was elected a member of the Society on the 10th 
day of August. 1818, and was appointed its Secretary on the 4th day 
of July, 1826. He served during the hist war with Great Britain as 
Inspector of the Brigade, commanded by Gen. Jonas Mapes, Hnd 
was frequently consulted by Gov. Tompkins during his command in 
this district ; and after the close of the war he was appointed to the 
command of the 125th Regiment of State Infantry. 

Col. Graham bad the interest of the Society much at heart, and 
was an active and efficient officer of it, and his loss will be severely 
felt and greatly lamented by the Society as well as the community at 
large. 

MAJOR JACOB REED. 

New York, May 31, 1838. 

The President of the Society, with very deep regret, announces to 
the members, the deatli of Major Jacob Reed, one of their highly 
respected companions of the Revolutionary Army, at the advanced 
age of nearly eighty-five years. 

Major Reed was a native of tliis city, and at the commencement of 
the Revolution was preparing himself for mercantile pursuits ; but 
immediately abandoned all his hopes and prospects of gain, and joined 
the standard of his country. 

On the 1st of February, 1777, he was appointed to the office of 
Captain-Lieutenant in the Regiment of Artillery, in the service of 
the United States, commanded by Colonel John Lamb, and was sub- 
sequently promoted to the office of Captain in the said regiment, and 
continued in the service until the conclusion of the war. He was a 
meritorious and efficient officer, attending to his duties with the mcjst 
rigid punctuality and persevering industi-y. 

Having secured a competency, he visited Europe a few years after 
the Flevolutionary Peace, and since his return to his native land, 
has lived much in retirement, respected and beloved by all who 
knew him. 

COL. DAVID BROOKS. 

New York, August 30, 1 838. 

The President announces to the Society the death of Col. David 
Brooks, an original member of the Society, who died this morning, 
aged eighty-two. 

Col. Brooks was a meritorious officer of the Revolutionary Army> 
from tlie beginning to the close of the war; and was higlily respected 



no 

and esteemed iis iiQ efficient officer, attending to his duties with the 
most rigid punctuality and persevering duty. In private life his cha- 
racter was unexceptionable. 

JOHN VAN DYK, Esq., 

New Yori:, February 29, 1840. 

The President, with sincere regret, announces to tlie members of 
the Society, the death of John Van Dyk, Esq., an original member, 
who died on Friday morning, in the 87th year of his age. 

Mr. Van Dyk was born in this city, and continued to reside here 
until his death. He was a member of Capt. Stephen Delaney's 
regiment of Artillery, when the ship of war Asia fired on the city, 
and the same night, assisted to remove the cannon from the Battery. 

He was appointed a Lieut, of Artillery by the Provincial Congress 
of New Jersey, March 24, ,1776, and in November of the same year, 
was appointed a 1st Lieut, by the Continental Congress. He subse- 
quently became a Captain in Col. Lamb's regimeut of Artillery, and 
before the conclusion of the war had attained the rank of Major. 

He was present at the battles of Monmouth and Trenton, and at 
the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. 

At one period of tlie war, he was, wliile on a voyage for his liealtli, 
captui'ed by an English frigate, and underwent all the horrors and 
sufteriugs of a confinement in the Jersey prison ship. 

After the war, Mr. Van Dyk was in business as a merchant in this 
city, for several years ; but was subsequently appointed to a situation 
in the Custom House, wliere he continued to be employed until his 
death. 

THEODOSIUS FOWLER, Esq. 

It is the painful duty of the President, to announce to the Society, 
tlie death of Theodosius Fowler, for many years Treasurer of the 
Society, and a brave and distinguished officer in the Revolutionary 
Army. 

He entered the service of his country atau early age, and during 
the most gloomy period of the Revolution. He was appointed eldest 
Ensign in the 1st New York Regiment, commanded by Gen. M'Dou- 
gal, in February or March, 1776, and was promoted to a 1st. Lieu- 
tenancy on the 22d November, the same year, and was made Captain 
in'the same regiment Ap. 23, 1778; and in 1780 or '81, was Iransferred 
to the 2d N. Y. Regiment, where be continued to the end of the 



Ill 

war, not having oeen absent fifty days from the army during this 
whole period. 

In 1776, he was present at the battle of Long Island, and in the 
next campaign, was under Gen. Gates, at the capture of Burgoyne. 
He was sul)sequently stationed at Valley Forge, and distinguished 
himself shortly after, at the battle of Monmouth. While stationed at 
White Plains, the following year, he surprised a corps of Hessians at 
Dobbs' Ferry, and was highly complimented by Col. Butler for his 
conduct on that occasion. The ensuing winter he was stationed on 
the Mohawk, and in the spring, accompanied Gen. Jas. Clinton in his 
expedition against the Mohawks, which terminated in the dissolution 
of that formidable Indian Confederacy. 

In the campaign of 1780, he served under Gen. Lafayette ; and in 
1781, he was present at the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He 
was engaged in various places during the rest of the war, and con- 
tinued in service until the array was dissolved in 1783. 

Capt. Fowler was a good citizen, a brave soldier, and a most wor- 
thy man in all the relations of life ; his reputation for honor and in- 
tegrity, was unquestioned: and he died, after a well spent life, re- 
spected and honored by all who knew him. 

MAJOK ABRAHAM LEGGETT. 

Ne^v York, Jan. 17, 1842. 

The President of the Society, witli deep regret, announces to the 
members, the decease of their venerable friend and Vice President, 
Maj. Abraham Leggett, which took place yesterday, after a short 
illness. 

Major Leggett was born Jan. 3d, 1754, in the town of West Farms, 
Westchester county, New York. In July, 1776, he entered a vol- 
unteer corps that was formed at Poughkeepsie, under Bernardus 
Swartwout; thej marched down to New York, and joined the army 
on Long Island, the day after the battle of Flatbush. His company 
, was at first stationed on the left, but afterwards in the rear guard. 
Maj. Leggett soon made himself conspicuous by his courage and pa- 
triotism, and took a very active part in covering the retreat of the 
Ainerican Army from Long Island. He was one of the last to leave 
the shore, and was about to swim the river, when the timely arrival 
of two boats, secured the retreat of his party, just at the moment the 
British horse galloped to the shore. He took part in the engage- 
ments at Harlem and White Plains, as well as in various skirmishes 
and expeditions ; shared in the sufferings of the New Jersey Army 



112 

during the cold winter of 1777, and in January of that year, received 
his discliarge, together with a commission in the Standing Army, 
whicli latter, though unexpected, he eagerly accepted. He was first 
employed as a recruiting officer, in the neighborhood of Bedford, West- 
chester county, in which service he was eminently useful ; but was 
afterwards ordered to Fort Montgomery. When that Post, after a 
stout and bloody defence, fell into the hands of the British, lie became 
a prisoner of war, and after having sutFered the greatest privations and 
cruelties, he was finally exchanged in 1781. 

COL. JOHN TRUMBULL. 

Nero York, Nov. 13, 1843. 

The President, with deep regret, announces to the members of this 
Society, the death of their venerable friend. Col. John Trumbull, an 
original member, who departed this life on Friday morning, the lOlh 
inst., after a protracted illness, in the 87th year of his age, at the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Leutuer, 16 Amity street. 

Col. Trumbull, at an early period of our Revolutionary struggle, 
entered the army, and was attached to the military family of General 
Washington, whose warm regard he maintained till tiie close of the 
war. His military life is so familiar to most of our citizens, that it 
would be superfluous to recapitulate. Suffice it to say, that in all 
his capacities, he was a distinguished and meritorious man, as well as 
an exemplaiy Christian. 

The Society will bo debarred the melancholy satisfaction of attend- 
ing his respected remains to the grave, they having, at his request, 
been removed to New Haven; but they will wear the usual badge of 
mourning for 30 days. 

WILLIAM H. LEAYCRAFT. 

New York, Feb., 1844. 
The President, with much regret, announces to the members of 
this Society, the decease of Wm. H. Leaycraft, who departed this 
life on the of this month, in the 45th year of his age. Mr. 

Leaycraft entered the Society as an hereditary member in right of 
his father, Wm. Leaycraft, on the 4th July, 1827, was elected a mem- 
ber of the Standing Committee, on the 4th July, 1839, the duties of 
which office he discharged with much zeal and fidelity till within a 
short period of his death. 



113 

LEONARD BLKECKER. 

The President announces, with sorrow, the death of Leonard 
Bleecker, an original member of this Society, and equally respecta- 
ble as a soldier and citizen. 

Mr. Bleecker was, on the 28th June, 1775, appointed 2d Lieut, in 
Capt. Marinus Willett's compimy, in the let. N. Y. Regiment, and 
was present at the capture of St. John's, by Gen. Montgomery. He 
was promoted to alst Lieutenancy in the May following, was present 
at the battle of Long Island, and subsequently at the battle of Prince- 
ton. On the Ist Jan., 1777, he was appointed Captain in the 3d N. 
Y. Regiment; was ordered to Fort Stanwix, and participated in the 
gallant and successful defence of that Fort, when invested by Gen. 
St. Leger. In the year 1779, he accompanied a detachment of men 
under Col. Van Schaick, to destroy the chief town of the Onondagas, 
which object was effected without the loss of a man. In Sept. of 
the same year, he was under the command of Gen. Jas. Clinton at 
the bnttle of Newtown, when the confederacy of the Five Nations 
was defeated after a very severe contest. In the campaigns of 1780 
and '81, he served under Gen. Lafayette, and in the latter year was 
Brigade Major of Gen. Hayden's Brigade, and on the 21st Oct., wit- 
nessed the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. 

Mr. Bleecker was an active and energetic officer, and after devo- 
ting the best portion of his life to his country, in the field, on the res- 
toration of peace, united himself with objects of a praiseworthy, 
useful, and benevolent character. He was, for many years, a mem- 
ber of the Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the N. Y. 
Free School during the Presidency of De Witt Clinton, and Trea- 
surer, for 18 years, of this Society. 

Mr. Bleecker was esteemed and respected by the community in 
which he lived, and his high character and eminent services were an 
example worthy of the imitation of posterity. His name will be en- 
rolled on the list of Revolutionary worthies, and he will be honored 
as one of the cotemporaries and associates of those pure and virtuous 
men. 

MAJOR GENERAL MORGAN LEWIS. 

New York, April 8, 1844. 
It is the painful duty of the Vice President of the Society to an- 
nounce the death of Major General Morgan Lewis, the President of 
the .Society, and President General of the General Society of the Cin- 
cinnati in the U. S. He died on Sunday, the 7th inst., in the 90th 

15 



114 

year of his age, his life having been protracted beyond the usual pe- 
riod allotted to man. 

He was a son of Francis Lewis, one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, and was born in this city, on the 16th October, 
1754. He was educated at Princeton College, and graduated with 
honor at the commencement, in 1773. 

In June, 1775, he joined the army, then investing the town of Bos- 
ton, as a volunteer, in a rifle company; and in August assumed the 
command of a company of volunteers. In November he was appointed 
First Major of the 2d Regiment, of which the venerable John Jay was 
Colonel ; but as public duties of an important character prevented the 
assumptioft of the command by Mr. Jay, it necessarily devolved upon 
Major Lewis. 

In June, 1776, he accompanied General Gates into Canada, as 
Chief of his Staff, with the rank of Colonel, and was subsequently at 
Ticonderoga, (then hourly expecting an attack from General Carle- 
ton,) until its evacuation, in July, 1777. During the following month 
he was present at the defeat of Burgoyne, and was appointed to re- 
ceive the British troops after their surrender. 

In 1778 he was with General Clinton, on an expedition to the Val- 
ley of the Mohawk, against a strong force of British regulars, Butler's, 
Caldwell's and M'Kay's partizan corps and Brant's savages. At 
Stone Arabia he led the advance against the enemy, who were gal- 
lantly attacked and entirely routed; and in 1780 he accompanied Gov. 
Clinton to Crown Point to intercept a corps of British troops. 

At the conclusion of the war he was appointed Col. Commandant 
of a corps of volunteer militia, and had tlie honor of escorting Gen. 
Washington at his first inauguration as President of the U. 8. In 
1804 he was elected Governor of the State of New York, which office 
he held for one term; and in 1810 he was chosen a member of the 
State Senate, by a larger majority than had ever befoi'e been given. 

in May, 1812, he was appointed Quarter-master General of the 
Array of the United States, with the rank of a Brigadier; and on the 
subsequent institution of a cartel for the exchange of prisoners, ad- 
vanced a large sura of money for their relief from his private means, 
as the Government was unable to procure a sutficient sum in currency 
which would be received in Canada, in discharge of the debts they had 
contracted, and to provide the necessary means for their conveyance 
from Quebec to the United States. He also advanced money to Col. 
Wilcox, to enable him to fulfil his engagements to a corps he had 
raised in Canada, by permission of the General Government. While 



115 

referring to these evidences of his generous disposition and public 
spirit, it rnHy be added he remitted a large amount of rents to such of 
his tenants as had served during the war, either in the militia or re- 
gular army. 

In March, 1813, he was promoted to the rank of Major General, 
and ordered to the Niagara Frontier; and on the 27th April made a 
successful descent on the ]5ritish side of the Niagara River, near Fort 
George. In the following year be was entrusted with the organiza- 
tion of the defences of the City of New York, then daily under the 
e.\pectation of an attack, which was diverted to the City of New Or- 
leans, and eventuated in the glorious victory of 8th January, 1815. 

His last appearance in public life was on the 2ad February, 1832, 
when, at the request of the Corporation of this city, he delivered an 
oi'ation in honor of General Washington, at the celebration of the 
Centennia" Anniversary of his nativity. 

The Vice President, in this necessarily brief and imperfect reca- 
pitulation of the services of this distinguished man, cannot forbear to 
remark, that his eminent merit justly entitles him to the respect and 
admiration of his countrymen. His pure life and patriotic disinter- 
estedness are worthy of all imitation, and a bright example to those 
who follow him. He has gone down to his grave in a good old age, 
and in the fulness of his honors; and his memory will ever be cher- 
ished and honored as one of the chosen band who were prompt to 
respond to the call of the country in the "times that tried men's souls,'" 
and as one of the chivalrous spirits who were found ready to endure 
the privations and dangers of the field in our second War of Indepen- 
dence. In all the relations of life he discharged his duties with fidelity 
and honor. He was a gallant soldier, an accomplished statesman, a 
kind parent, a benevolent man, and a good citizen. 

MAJOR WILLIAM POPHAM. 

New York, September 27, 1847. 

It has become the painful duty of the Vice President, to announce 
to the Society the death of their venerable President, Major Wm. 
Popham, at the advanced age of 95 years. Maj. Popham was also 
President-General of the General Society of the Cincinnati in the 
United States. 

He was a native of Ireland, and came to this country previous to 
our Revolution, and was, at its commencement, appointed a Lieuten- 
ant in the army; and at the battle of Long Island, with a detachment 
of troops under his command, captured and brought to head-quarters, 



in this city, a British guard, with its comtnandiDg officer, and was 
highly complimented by Gen. Washington on the occasion. He was 
afterwai'ds appointed an Aid-de-camp to Gen. Jas. Clinton ; subse- 
quently by Baron Steuben to the same, by whom he was much be- 
loved, tie continued in the service till the end of the war, was a 
brave and accomplished officer, and a gentleman of considerable legal 
and literary acquirements. He held for a long time, an important 
civil office connected with our Courts of Justice. He always sus- 
tained the character of the most exemplary punctuality in the execu- 
tion of his official duties. In private life he was respected and be- 
loved by all wlio knew him. His mental faculties were retained with 
great vigor until the last moment of his life. He died as a Christian 
soldier, with the confident hope that his piety and faithfulness would 
entitle him to the reward in the life to come, promised to those who 
continue faithful to the end. 

" Sweet sleep the brave who sink lo rest 
With all their country's honor blest." 

DR. JOHN M. SCUTT M'KNIGHT. 

New York, May 10, 1848. 

The Vice President announces to the Society, the death of Dr. 
John M. Scott M'Knight, one of its members, who died on Monday 
evening last. 

Dr. M'Knight was the son of Dr. Chas. M'Knight, an eminent 
Surgeon of the Army of the Revolution, who was greatly celebrated 
for his skill in the performance of many of the most difficult opera- 
tions of the surgical art. His maternal grandfather was John Morrin 
Scott, Esq., one of the " Sons of Liberty," and one of the most zealous 
patriots of the Revolution, and was, for many yeais. Secretary of 
State. 



POSTSCRIPT. 



Since the foregoing sheets were printed, tlie following let- 
ter has heen placed in the hands of the Committee, who su- 
pervised the publication. Its interest induces the Committee 
to append it in this form, although many copies of the pre- 
ceding pages have already been bound and distributed. As 
far as practicable, a copy of the letter will be sent to each per- 
son who has received a copy of the pamphlet, as heretofore 
bound : 

"Gentlemen — 

" It is my duty to inform you that we have been appointed, 
by the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, a Commit- 
tee of Correspondence, with instructions to frame, and trans- 
mit to the other State Societies, a circular letter, on several 
matters of importance to die Cinc'mnuti in general. In pur- 
suance of this trust, we send you an extract from the proceed- 
ings of the Society, begun the 4th July last, and continued, 
by adjournments, to the 12th August following. This extract 
will, itself, explain the objects intended to be communicated 
by this letter, and will leave little to be added by us. 

" Among other things comprised in it, you will find the re- 
port of a committee on the proceedings of the General So- 
ciety of the Cincinnati, at their last meeting; which report, 
approved by our Society, contains its dissent from the alte- 
rations proposed to be made in the original Constitution, and 
assigns the principal reasons of that dissent. These reasons 
might be enforced by many additional reasons of weight, 
which, however, we shall omit, as we are persuaded your 
own reflections will supply them. 



118 

" We cannot help thinking, that even those Societies which 
have adopted the proposed alterations will, on a review of the 
matter, be struck with the objections stated in the report, and 
will cheerfully concur in a plan for revising the business, and 
digesting it into a shape that will be satisfactory to all the parts 
of the Institution. 

"At any rate, there appears to be an absolute necessity for 
such revisal, if it were only to let in a mode of combining 
the views and sentiments of the respective Societies in some 
definite result, without which, alterations, agreed on every side 
to be proper, will either not be made at all, or made partially 
and on principles dissimilar, and subversive of the uniformity 
of the Institution. This obvious idea will, we trust, demon- 
strate the justness of the opinion, that it will be advisable for 
each State Society to instruct and empower its delegates, at 
the next General Meeting, to agree upon, and finally estab- 
lish, all such alterations in the oria-inal Constitution as shall 
be thought, by a majority, expedient. The extension of the 
authority of the delegates to the final establishment of the al- 
terations to be agreed upon, is, in our opinion, indispensable. 
The prospect of an unanimous concurrence of all the par- 
ticular Societies, in any plan which might be referred to their 
ultimate deliberations, would be remote, and the objects of 
the Society are too simple and limited to require such a ref- 
erence. 

" Before we dismiss the subject of the proposed alterations, 
we shall submit an observation on that part of them which 
relates to the exclusion of the clause by which it is made a 
fundamental principle of the Society to promote and cherish, 
between the respective States, that union and national honor, 
so essentially necessaiy to their happiness and the future dig- 
nity of the American Empire. 

" We flatter ourselves we speak the sense of the Society 
of which we are members, as well as our own, in declaring 



119 

that we reverence the sentiments contained in that clause too 
much to be willing to see it expunged. Nor, can we believe 
that its continuance will, on reflection, give umbrage to any 
whose views are not unfriendly to those principles which form 
the basis of the Union, and the only sure foundation of the 
tranquillity and happiness of this country. To such men it 
can never appear criminal, that a class of citizens who had 
so conspicuous an agency in the American Revolution, as 
those who compose the 'Society of the Cincinnati,' should 
pledge themselves to each other, in a voluntary association, 
to support, by all means consistent with the laws, that noble 
fabric of united independence which, at so much hazard, and 
with so many sacrifices, they have contributed to erect — a 
fabric, on the solid foundation and duration of which, the 
value of all they have done must depend ! and America can 
never have cause to condemn an institution, calculated to give 
energy and extent to a sentiment favorable to the preservation 
of that union by which she established her liberties, and to 
which she must owe her future peace, respectability and pros- 
perity. Experience, we doubt not, will teach her that the 
members of the Cincinnati, always actuated by the same vir- 
tuous and generous motives which have hitherto directed their 
conduct, wlU pride themselves in being, through every vicis- 
situde of her future fate, the faithful and steady supporters of 
her liberty, her laws and her government. 

" Permit me to call your attention to two resolutions con- 
tained in the extract transmitted herewith — one relating to a 
limitation of the number of members to be elected, the other 
reladng to the right of the State Societies to elect foreigners 
as members of the Cincinnati. We believe the spirit of both 
these resolutions will appear to you prudent and conducive, 
perhaps we might say essential, to the respectabihty of the 
Society. The first speaks for itself, and the last has the rea- 
sons for it detailed in a letter from Major L'Enfant, included 



120 

in the extract. The opinion of our Society, in this respect, 
is founded on the particular terms of the clause of the Consti- 
tution providing for the election of Honorary Members, which 
seem inapphcable to any but citizens of the respective States, 
eminent for abilities and patriotism. 

"But, we presume, if there should be any difference of 
opinion as to the right of electing foreigners, there will be none 
as to the expediency of referring that matter, exclusively, to 
the General Society, who will, no doubt, be properly impress- 
ed with the necessity of circumspection in admitting the claims 
of candidates of that description, and who will be less likely 
to be importuned with ill-founded pretensions. The Society 
of diis State will be happy to find that the views of the So- 
cieties of the other States coincide with theirs in the object of 
this letter : should this not be the case, we, at least, persuade 
ourselves they will be considered as the dictates of a pure zeal 
for the honor and interests of the Institution. 

" We are, very respectfully, gentlemen, 

"Your obedient and humble Servants, 

Alexander Hamilton, 
Jas. Duane, 
Wm. Duer. 
''New York, Nov. 1st, 1786. 
"To the President of the Cincinnati 

of the State of New Hampshire.'''' 

This letter is said to have been written by General Hamil- 
ton, though signed by Messrs. Duane and Duer. 



?)o(i'.tt« d| -tVt C-i- .;, MtwYork. 



BY LAWS 

Amended and Additional since the P'ublication of the 
Society in 1851. 



*IX. Every person desirous of becoming a member of the 
Society, may make application in writing to lire Standing Com- 
mittee, setting forlli distinctly and clearly bis claim to be admitted. 
Tbe Cotiraittee shall advise thereon, and may require any proof 
which they may deem proper in support of such claim, or any 
testimonial with respect to the character and standing of the 
applicant, and they shall report in writinri, the facts of the case, 
together with their opinion to the Society. 

XVIf. Stated meetings of the Standing Committee shall be 
hold at least twice in each year, as nearly' as may be, at intervals 
of six months. The time and place of meeting, whether stated 
or special, shall be named by the President, or in case of his 
death, absence, or inability to act, by the Vice President. Notice 
of the time and place of meeting shall be given in writing by the 
Secretary to each member of the Committee, at least two days 
before the meeting. 

In case of the death, absence, or inability to act of both the 
President and Vice Prtsident, the Secretary shall designate the 
t!me and place of such meeting; and in case of his death, 
alsence, or inability to act, the meeting may be called by the 
Treasurer, or by any ihiee members of the Standing Committee. 

XVIII. The Society shall at the annual meeting each year, 
f.cm among its members, elect a Chaplain and a Physician, each 
of whom shall be ex officio a member of the Standing Committee. 

* As amended hy the insertion of tlie words printed in italics. 



RULES AND REGULATIONS 

With regard to the Qualifications and Admission of 

Memhers into the Neio- Yorh State Society of the 

Cincinnati. 

ADOPTED JULY 4, 1857. 



I. No person shall be admitted a member of the Society 
(whatever may be his relation to an original, or other Member of 
the Society,) unless he be of good moral character and reputation, 
and be (in the language of the original constitution,) by the 
Society "judged worthy of becoming its supporter and member." 

II. None but males of full age shall be admitted to member- 
ship ; but eligibility to membership in succession, devolving upon 
a minor, shall be deemed vested in such minor, but the use 
thereof shall remain in abeyance until the disability cease or be 
removed. 

III. Lineal succession to membership shall be according to the 
rules of inheritance at the common law, unless otherwise expressly 
provided, subject in all cases to the provisions of the 1st Rule 
above. And the Officer of the Army of the Revolution, who wa? 
an Original iMember, shall be deemed and taken as the '■'propositus" 
from whom succession shall be derived. 

In cases where, according to the rules of the common law, the 
inheritance would descend to two or more persons (jointly) the 
Society may admit either of them, as the one entitled in lineal 
succession ; or may allow the benefit of the right of admissiou 
without pay, to be apportioned among all or several of the said 
persons. 

IV. All male descendants of otficers of the Revolutionary Army 
or Navy, who were Original Members of this State Society, and 
a'so all male descendants of all persons who have been, or now 
are, or hereafter may become Members of this State Society, shall 
be eligible as Members thereof, and if judged worthy, may be 
admitted upon the following terms, viz. : The descendant entitled 
in lineal succession (according to Rule III) shall, if judged worthy, 
b^ admitted without payment, in right of the payment made by 



liis ancestor. Every other depcondant who may be judged \Yorthy 
of admission, shall at the time of signing the roll, and before 
taking his seat as a Member, pay into the Treasury of the Society 
a sum equal to one month's pay of the Officer, or Original Mem- 
ber from whom he claims descent, or in whose right he claims 
membei'ship, according to the rank of such Officer at the time he 
signed the rolls of the Society, provided that such sura shall in no 
case be less than seventy-five dollars. 

V. If any member of this State Society have died, or shall 
hereafter die, leaving no descendant, the Society may, upon the 
application of some one of the parties, select from among his 
brothel's or nephews some one whom they may judge worthy to 
be a member of the Society and the person so selected shall be 
entitled to succession in right of such deceased member; but no 
collateral relative other than a brother or nephew, shall be 
admitted in succession to a member who shall have died leaving 
no descendants. Provided however, that the descendants of any 
such brother or nephew who shall have been admitted, may suc- 
ceed to him. 

VI. The male descendants, of full age, of the Original Members 
of any of the State Societies which have been dissolved, and also 
the male descendants residing in the State of New-York of the 
Original Membere of any State Society, may be admitted into 
this Society (if judged worthy), upon the payment into the 
Treasury of a sura equal to two months' pay in the Continental 
Army, of the Original Member from whom they claim descent, 
according to the rank of such Original Member, at the time he 
signed tlie rolls of the Society of which he was a member, pro- 
vided that such sum shall in no case be less than one hundred and 
fifty dollars. 

VII. No person shall be admitted a member of this Society 
whose father or paternal grandfather adhered to, or took protec- 
tion from the Enemy during the war of the Revolution. 

VIII. The vote of the Society admitting a new member, shall 
not be deemed to constitute the person ballotted for, a Member, 
until ho shall have subscribed the roll of the Society, and have 
complied with the terms required by any rule or regulation, by-law, 
or order of the Society. 



IX. All money paid into the Treasury by persons admitted, in 
pursuance of the foregoing rules and regulations, shall be con- 
sidered as part of the funds or principal money belonging to the 
Society, and shall be invested in the name of the Trustees, as 
provided by the by-laws. 

X. The diploma or certificate which Members are entitled, by 
virtue of the XIV. By-law, (adopted in May, 1851,) to receive 
upon their admission, shall be in the following form : 

STATE OF NEW-TOEK, 

SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 

ISe ft Kliotoli, That A. B., tlie lineal successor of (or a descoridaiit 

of C. D.,) who was a • -in the Regiment o( New-York 

Intantry, (setting forth the rank of the officer as subscribed to the Rolls 

of the Society), and an Original Member of the 

State Society of the Cincinnati, is (by virtue of a resolution of the New-York 

State Society of the Cincinnati, passed on the day of — ■ 185 ) 

a Member of the Society of the Cincinnati instituted by the Officers of 
the American Army of the Revolution at the period of its dissolution in 
ItSS, as well to commemorate tlie great event which gave Indejieudence 
to the United States of America, as for the purpose of inculcating the 
duty of laying down in peace, arms assumed for public defence, and of 
uniting in acts of brotherly affection and bonds of perpetual friendsliip, 
the llembcrs constituting the same. 

In witness whereof, ihe New-York State Society of the Cmcmnati 
have caused these presents to be signed by their President and coun- 
tersigned by their Secretary the da^i of in the year of 

our Lord one thousand eight hundred ana , and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States of America the — : 



President. 



Secretary. 



At the adoption of the foregoing Rules, it was 

" Resolved, That the 4th of the said Rules, and so much of the 
6th as may c^>ntem|ilatc the admission of more than one descendant 
of any (Driginal Member (to represent such Original Member at 
the same time), shall be in force for the period of three years, and 
no longer, unless continued or renewed by a resolution of the 
Sofflety adopted at or after the expiration of the said three years. 
But the expiration of the said Rules shall in no way affect the 
right of any members admitted in pursuance of the said Rules 
dui in"- their continuance. 



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